Defra secretary Steve Reed heard first-hand about the impact of the bluetongue virus on livestock and rural businesses during a visit to a farm in Essex.

The potentially-fatal animal disease, which is spread by infected biting midges, affects ruminants including cattle, sheep, goats and deer.

Since the UK's first case of the summer was confirmed in Norfolk on August 26, the virus has now affected almost 100 premises - prompting the enforcement of a Restricted Zone including all of East Anglia and now stretching from Yorkshire to the south coast.

Mr Reed visited a farm near Stanford-le-Hope run by Ian Frood and his family, where he was joined by senior representatives from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and Sascha Van Helvoort, veterinary head of outbreak delivery at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

The secretary of state was shown a cow that is isolating at the farm due to bluetongue, although it is not showing any clinical signs.

He heard how animal movement restrictions were impacting on farming operations, and the group also raised some issues around the government's animal testing programme.

Mr Reed said: “I have heard first-hand the experiences of farmers battling this disease and we are working hard to prevent its spread into other areas of England and Great Britain. 

“We understand restrictions can have an impact but stress the importance of everyone adhering to these.

“We are committed to working with everyone affected and urge people to report livestock they suspect have the disease.” 

Dr Frood said it was a "useful opportunity" to discuss issues with the minister, adding: "We discussed how the situation will be handled this year and into next year, and asked for clarity around how infected premises are dealt with. For example, we are isolating an animal with bluetongue but there is no time limit on how long for.”

Pictured from left are NFU animal health adviser Cat McLaughlin, NFU regional policy manager Charles Hesketh, Defra secretary Steve Reed, NFU livestock board chair David Barton, host farmers Andrew, Helen and Ian Frood, and Sascha Van Helvoort of the APHAPictured from left are NFU animal health adviser Cat McLaughlin, NFU regional policy manager Charles Hesketh, Defra secretary Steve Reed, NFU livestock board chair David Barton, host farmers Andrew, Helen and Ian Frood, and Sascha Van Helvoort of the APHA (Image: NFU) The NFU delegation included East of England regional policy manager Charles Hesketh, who said the meeting was a valuable opportunity to discuss the "real-life issues we are hearing from members as a result of not only the disease itself, but the current control strategy to manage disease spread".  

“Key asks were raised and discussed around ensuring sufficient resourcing for APHA, development of an effective vaccine with full or provisional authorisation and improvements needed for communication from government,” he said. 

Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, but it is a notifiable disease and livestock keepers must report suspected cases to the APHA on 03000 200 301.

For more information see www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue or call the BTV hotline 024 7771 0386.