FARMERS whose animals have been affected by the deadly bluetongue virus need urgent wellbeing and financial support, county councillors have heard.

Farmers and farming representatives described livestock deaths, the amount of work involved in caring for sick animals and concerns about future income at a recent meeting of Devon County Council's Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services scrutiny committee.

Farming Community NetworkRegional Manager Stephen Dennis said that many farmers had been left "completely exhausted" by the outbreak, which has come in addition to drought, forage shortages and wider financial pressures.

He also warned that the longer-term impact could be significant, with bluetongue affecting livestock fertility and potentially reducing future lamb and calf numbers, creating further pressure on farm incomes.

He said: “Bluetongue has been a dramatic disease for many farmers. Caring for affected animals takes a huge amount of time and many farmers have been left completely exhausted.

“This has come on top of a dry summer, a shortage of forage and wider financial pressures.

“The longer-term effects are also deeply concerning. The disease can affect the fertility of rams and bulls, while poor condition among female animals could lead to fewer lambs and calves.

“That could have a serious effect on farm incomes next year and beyond.”

Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 has affected livestock in Devon since July. While it poses no risk to humans, the outbreak has increased veterinary, vaccination and fallen stock disposal costs, while creating uncertainty around future breeding flocks and herds.

Modelling presented to the council’s committee suggested losses to farming and the wider rural economy could run into the millions of pounds.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin (Lib Dem, Torrington Rural), Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and a sheep farmer, said the meeting had highlighted both the emotional and financial impact on farming families.

She said: “We need better mental health and wellbeing support for our farming community now.

“This was a very emotional meeting, and it was clear that many farmers are facing serious financial pressures as well as the distress of caring for sick animals and losing livestock.

“Farmers need greater support and confidence in the industry, including a properly funded farming budget.

“We must learn from what happened this year. Farmers need clearer and quicker communication, reliable access to vaccines and a long-term plan for dealing with bluetongue and other livestock diseases.

“We should also look at how European countries have responded, including vaccination programmes supported or funded by government.

“With a changing climate increasing the risk of diseases such as bluetongue, we need to be much better prepared.”

The committee agreed that the cabinet member and chair of the committee should write to Defra calling for a review of the government's response to the bluetongue virus, including communication with farmers, compensation arrangements and the practical requirements placed on livestock businesses.

The council’s cabinet will be asked to consider reinstating the Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme to support communities affected by the outbreak.