By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) - The Dutch agriculture minister warned of the implications of the bluetongue virus on the country’s large sheep sector, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Dutch daily Nederlands Dagblad, Piet Adema said the number of sheep in the country will drastically decrease next year due to the virus.
Drawing attention to the gravity of the situation, he said: “It is unclear if the sector will be able to survive the outbreak of the deadly bluetongue virus.”
Adema said there is an “urgent need for a vaccine,” adding that they will work in coordination with the competent Belgian and German authorities on the matter.
“We hope vaccine developers will put money and attention into research and production. With so much already done and potential damage, there is plenty of demand,” he said.