A pesticide manufacturer believes it has developed a product that could drastically reduce the cases of Schmallenberg Virus, claiming “prevention is better than cure.”

Agropharm has created Neem Pro Riddance, an organic, water-based anti-biting agent that it claims will control midge bites.

The product is based on neem oil, an insect active material derived from the neem tree that is native to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The virus, which is believed to be spread by midges, has been associated with late abortion or birth defects in newborn lambs and cattle and, unusually, there is evidence that Schmallenberg has been transmitted during the winter months.

Confirmed cases of the virus have risen by 24 per cent in the past month, suggesting the disease is spreading rapidly.

Geoff Foxon, managing director of Agropharm, said: “There is currently no vaccine for the Schmallenberg Virus so at this point the best course of action is prevention as part of an integrated control programme to reduce incidence.

“Neem Pro Riddance will also offer a second line of defence even when a vaccine does become available.”