20/08/2026
We need more voices like this one
It’s taken me a while to work out what to say following the meeting this afternoon, arranged by the NFU - National Farmers' Union on the Bluetongue outbreak.
There was a huge sense of sadness, anger, anxiety and frustration in the room, yet it was still useful in many ways. We were given detailed information about the Bluetongue virus, including from local Torch Farm Vets - Farm Animal Services, and importantly, there was an opportunity at the end to ask questions directly to the leadership of the NFU, as well as representatives from APHA and DEFRA.
That said, for many of us it felt too late. The lack of communication from the outset of this outbreak was raised very clearly with the official organisations. The first confirmed case in Devon was 14th July, and many farmers were already seeing the consequences of this disease before there was any clear, timely information available to them about it being present locally. Most found out through word of mouth, or I know in my case personally it was through finding sick and dead animals in the fields and calling the vet out urgently, not knowing what on earth was going on.
There were some positives from the meeting. The NFU are pressing for a fallen stock fund, including for retrospective claims, which would help to mitigate a small amount of the financial impact on farmers. They are also calling for the process of recording vaccine use to be streamlined. Currently, farmers are required to record every single tag number of every animal within 48 hours of vaccination. There appeared to be recognition from DEFRA that this creates a huge burden and that, if the purpose is simply to understand vaccination coverage, simply recording a flock number and number of doses should be sufficient.
We were also informed that RPA inspections will be suspended during the outbreak, which is at least one small measure that recognises the enormous pressure farmers are currently under. ** I’ve been informed in the comments that this might not be the case but is something that NFU are requesting**
Vaccine availability remains a major concern, with no vaccine currently available in the country. There were also calls for greater transparency around vaccine pricing.
Testing is another huge issue. There is currently only one laboratory licensed to test for Bluetongue in the UK- Pirbright in Surrey. We need more capacity to deal with this, both now and in the future. There are currently around 2,000 cases waiting for testing.
The delays are significant. Confirmed cases are often taking two or three weeks to appear publicly after Bluetongue has already been suspected on a farm. I suggested that there should be a map showing suspected cases, so that farmers can make more informed decisions more quickly about their own animals and businesses. Currently there are parts of the country affected by bluetongue, but due to those delays in getting confirmation, other local farmers in the area will likely not know about it until it’s too late.
I am also raising the need for Bluetongue testing to be included as part of post-mortem investigations where appropriate, even when the disease isn’t initially suspected. Sudden death can be a symptom of Bluetongue, and we personally lost some rams in early/mid July. We had a post-mortem carried out and nothing conclusive came back, but we later discovered that Bluetongue isn’t tested for…
There was recognition during the meeting that the published “case” numbers are misleading. Nobody apart from the individual farmer truly knows the impact this disease is having (or will have) on their flock or herd- the deaths, abortions, fertility problems, poor lamb or calf survival, the animals that simply aren’t thriving, and the financial and emotional toll that comes with all of this.
The question I asked publicly today was:
“This is a notifiable disease. You tell us you knew the devastating impacts it could bring and you knew the low uptake of the vaccine, so why didn’t you develop a national subsidised vaccine programme? And is this what you will be pushing for in the future?”
I was disappointed that the main response was that it was down to business planning.
There are huge pressures on farming right now, even before the outbreak of this terrible, terrible virus. This is a notifiable disease that has landed here due to the changing climate. Farmers are being asked to absorb more and more risk, while at the same time seeing support reduced along with reduced confidence within the industry.
There was a lack of willingness to discuss the past today, but I believe it is right to look at what has happened and learn the lessons. We cannot change what has happened, but we can make sure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes.
This is a significant animal welfare issue, but it is also a human issue. The mental health challenges that come with watching your animals become sick and die, often while feeling so exhausted and powerless to stop it, must not be underestimated.
I will continue pushing for a nationally funded or subsidised vaccine scheme for the future, because we need to make sure that we are better prepared and that this doesn’t happen again. This is the approach the government has taken in France, and it is working.
We hear time and time again from leaders and politicians that “food security is national security” and quite frankly, I am sick of hearing it.
It’s time for action and it’s time for farmers to be properly heard and represented.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share if you agree 👍🏼
