Farmers in Suffolk ask for support as Bluetongue continues to spread
The disease affects the health of animals like cows and sheep
A group representing farmers in Suffolk is calling for support as the Bluetongue virus spreads across parts of the East of England.
The disease affects livestock and cattle like sheep, goats and cows and, in the most severe cases, can result in death.
The total number of cases in the country currently stands at 97, with restriction zones in place across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex - meaning animals can only be moved with a licence.
How do farmers feel locally?
We spoke to Charles Hesketh an Eastern representative from the National Farmer's Union (NFU) who explained the disease is taking both an emotional and practical toll on farmers: "It's not an annual existence they (the animals) have on the farms. They can be around for many, many years and develop their own personality, so farmers do of course feel very attached to them.
"I suppose ultimately for those farmers, they're running a business, so having profitability is important and losing stock, or in the case of dairy farms, experiencing milk drop, can put real financial hardship on farmers.
"There's a real concern not just for animal welfare and the welfare of the farmer, but also from a business viability point of view."
He also explained that the disease can impact the fertility of the animals, which is a growing worry for them as we enter the traditional breeding time for farmers.
Charles then went on to say that currently, they don't have access to a vaccine for this strain of Bluetongue and even when it does become available after everything has been worked through, it's likely that farmers will have to pay for it themselves: "We expect they'll be in the £3 to £10 range - that's what's being talked about at the moment...
"Cows need two jabs, whereas sheep need one jab. So it's a little bit more costly to vaccinate a cow and it it takes about a month to become effective. It's not an overnight fix."
He also explained that at the moment farmers are not compensated for the loss they are facing if their animals are infected: "It's often difficult to try and secure compensation and funding for agriculture and for farming.
"And we're just one of one of the many sectors, unfortunately, who's asking for support at the moment because of the very challenging climate out there.
"It's as difficult as it's ever been and the economics of the current situation don't help that, but we have to keep trying to make the case."
What is Bluetongue Disease?
According to the government website Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
The disease is damaging and can reduce milk yield, cause sickness, and reduce reproductive performance.
In the most severe cases, it can cause death with all of these outcomes impacting farmers’ incomes.
It is worth noting that it does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.
What does it mean to be in a restricted area?
You can see all the areas in the UK that are now classed as restricted here.
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has set out further measures to mitigate the spread of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3).
All keepers of susceptible animals (cattle, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants and camelids including llamas and alpacas) in the restricted zones will need to follow strict rules on animal and germ cell product movements.
These restrictions mean that susceptible animals cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence. A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available. Movements within a zone are also permitted.