Bishop of Ipswich and St Edmundsbury, Martin Seeley, calls for more help after bluetongue outbreak

More support is needed for farmers in Norfolk and Suffolk facing the devastating impact of blue tongue disease among livestock, according to the bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

The Diss Express reported last week that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed both counties were under full restrictive zones after officers found cases of BTV-3 at five premises. It has led to the implementation of severe controls on the movement of livestock in a bid to prevent it from spreading.

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, who is also president of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, has called for farms, as well as related businesses, to receive greater support.

He said: “This disease is deadly for the animals, and the movement restrictions means farmers cannot take their animals to market.

“This severely affects the livelihood and wellbeing of farmers and their families, as well as those in businesses that support our agriculture.”

Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids, such as llamas and alpacas.

The impact on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no clinical signs or effects at all, while, for others, it can cause productivity issues, such as reduced milk yield. In the most severe cases, it can be fatal for infected animals.

Bishop Martin added: “We have been anticipating for some time that bluetongue could come to this part of the world since it is has been present in midges on the other side of the North Sea and it was only a matter of time before they reached us.

“What we need now is much more support for farmers and others who are suffering from the impact, both of the disease in their livestock and the consequent restrictions on moving their farm animals.”

A Defra spokesman said they were continuing to try to understand if the virus is currently circulating in the UK.

He added: “We are committed to working with everyone affected to help them protect their animals and those of neighbouring farmers, and we will keep the size and nature of the zone under constant review as our understanding of the disease picture develops.”