bluetongue

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

Defra said there was 'no evidence' bluetongue was circulating in the UK

UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss said there was not any evidence to demonstrate it was a ‘circulating virus', with all the infections being incursion of infected midges