Are you a farmer concerned about Bluetongue?
Local farmers have been in touch with me recently about Bluetongue, and I know there is growing concern about what it could mean locally.
The virus is spread by midges and can be particularly serious for sheep, whilst also affecting cattle, goats and other livestock. Vaccination remains the best protection, but there are understandable concerns about the availability of doses and how quickly farmers can get hold of them.
I’ve written to the Secretary of State to raise the concerns I’m hearing from farmers and to ask what more the Government is doing around vaccine supply and the wider response.
I’ve also reiterated my invitation to the Farming Minister to come to Dartmoor and meet local farmers. I didn’t receive a response to my previous request, so in light of the growing concern around Bluetongue I’ve chased this again.
If you’re a farmer in South West Devon and you’re having problems accessing vaccines, reporting a case or dealing with any other aspect of Bluetongue, please do get in touch with me by emailing me at: [email protected]. I’m very happy to raise specific concerns with Ministers and the relevant agencies where I can.
