Farming leaders in East Anglia have voiced anger over "unacceptable and unfair" price deductions for livestock being sent for slaughter from within the bluetongue virus zone.

Cases of the potentially-fatal animal disease - which is spread by biting midges and affects ruminants including sheep and cattle - have been rising since August, when it was found on a farm near the Broads village Haddiscoe.

Much of Eastern England has been declared a Restricted Zone (RZ) which has enforced animal movement restrictions and licences across an area now stretching from Yorkshire to the south coast.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has reacted to reports that animals coming from within the RZ are being subjected to price deductions by meat processors.

The union says this is "unfairly penalising farming businesses" which are working with Defra and animal health teams to help slow down the spread of the bluetongue virus. 

Charles Hesketh, NFU regional policy manager for the East of England, said: “We are very disappointed to hear that farmers across the East who are suffering the effects of the bluetongue virus and adhering to the disease control strategy to control the spread of the virus, and protect other areas of the UK, are at a competitive disadvantage as a result of following the rules.

“We urge those within the processing sector to consider treating all of their customers fairly and with consideration for the business impact livestock farmers in the East are facing as a result of bluetongue.”

The NFU says bluetongue-related costs should be "absorbed by the entire food chain, rather than being unfairly passed back down to livestock farmers".

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said: "There are costs being incurred by abattoirs to get themselves designated under this system. Individual businesses have to make their own decisions - some may be able to absorb these costs, but some smaller ones may not be able to.

"We recognise there are undoubtedly costs being incurred across the board. We are working closely with Defra and the whole industry to mitigate these costs as much as we can." 

Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, and the government says meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.

Livestock keepers must report suspected bluetongue cases to the APHA on 03000 200 301.