Calls for action on bluetongue affecting livestock

1 hour ago

Tom BurgessNorth East and Cumbria

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey raised the bluetongue issue while meeting farmers in Cumbria

BBC Ed Davey is stood in a field with a herd of cows behind him with trees in the distance. He is wearing a navy coast and blue shirt. — Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey raised the bluetongue issue while meeting farmers in Cumbria

Politicians have called for a bluetongue taskforce to be created after hearing of issues faced by farmers.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for action while meeting Cumbrian farmers with MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has recorded almost 10 bluetongue cases in Cumbria as part of 783 across the whole of England. The disease affects animals such as sheep, cattle and goats, and is mainly spread by midges.

The government said it had been working pro-actively to make vaccine stocks available.

Davey said he wanted the government to "go faster" and start a taskforce to speed up the roll out of vaccinations.

He said: "We have just heard from one farmer here who has been waiting for four weeks to be able to get the vaccinations for his cattle and he wants the government to move more quickly."

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said temperatures were consistently high enough in parts of the UK and nearby continental Europe for the virus to develop inside midges, which then spread bluetongue.

The virus does not affect people or food safety, however outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

Tim Farron raised the bluetongue "crisis" in Parliament

Tim Farron is smiling while stood on a gravel path with rolling hills behind him. He is wearing a blue shirt and there is a wooden fence with a metal gate just behind him. — Tim Farron raised the bluetongue "crisis" in Parliament

Farron said bluetongue had been "terrifying" farmers across the country.

"I just want the government to get on with it and treat this as a matter of urgency," he said.

"It is a huge threat particularly to sheep but also to cattle as well, and our proposal is to bring in a taskforce to make sure we urgently get the vaccines we need and get it out to farmers."

National Farmers Union chairman for Cumbria Richard Pedley said cases in other parts of England had "been devastating".

"We have seen the number of cases rise down south as summer has progressed and this has led to a massive demand for the vaccine," he said.

"Manufacturing of the vaccine isn't meeting demand."

In a debate in Parliament on Thursday, Farming Minister Stephen Morgan said government was supporting enhanced testing capacity .

He said the government was working proactively to ensure additional vaccine stocks were made available as quickly as possible.

"I encourage all livestock keepers to remain vigilant, to monitor and vaccinate their animals and to report any suspicions of disease immediately," he said.

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