bluetongue

Over 100 cases of the virus have been detected on farms in Kent, Suffolk and Norfolk since November 2023

55 farms in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk have confirmed 99 cases of the virus

The Animal and Plant Health Agency said 70 cases of the virus had been reported on 43 farms in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk since November 11

NFU deputy president, Tom Bradshaw said the industry was ‘seeing austerity in action', adding APHA were doing everything it could within its budget, but Government must give them better resources

Cases of bluetongue continue to be identified in the south eastern counties, and long-term predictions suggest there could be an issue in the spring and summer of this year. Ellie Layton reports.

APHA confirmed the virus had been identified on the Norfolk/Suffolk border to bring the total number of cases to 55

APHA confirmed over 50 cases have been identified on 27 farms in Kent and Norfolk have identified cases of the virus since November 2023

A professor of virology at University of Nottingham said the weather conditions will be important over the next three months. Prof Peter Mertens said: "If you get low temperatures in winter, onward transmission is going to be curtailed"

APHA confirmed 23 cases of the virus have been detected since November 11

Livestock farmers say it must be the Government's priority to support APHA with more resources so they can take decisive action when needed