Farmers boss in Bluetongue warning

Livestock farmers in the North-west breathed a huge sigh of relief after results of a suspected case of Bluetongue on a farm in Greater Manchester proved negative.

NFU Lancashire County Chairman, David Graveston, believes the scare should now sharpen the minds of farmers in the region and focus them on the disastrous consequences should this disease take hold.

And he aimed his comments at those who are importing cattle from Bluetongue infected areas in Europe.

He said: "Bluetongue is potentially the most devastating disease to ever challenge the livestock industry.

"Deaths of sheep in a flock may reach as high as 70 percent. The condition can lead to a reduction in meat and wool production in the animals that survive.

"Fertility problems have been reported in cattle with bulls becoming infertile, milk yields drop by 20% and cattle which go out to grass in calf come in empty. In Belgium, just under 18% of cattle that became infected with the disease died.

"What farmers need to realise is that unlike Foot and Mouth Disease there is no compensation for animals that die of Bluetongue and they will have to dispose of the animals at their own cost.