URGENT Government action to tackle the spread of bluetongue disease in livestock on Exmoor has been called for by MP Rachel Gilmour.

There are currently 17 outbreaks of the disease across the country, with Exmoor being the worst hit area.

It has left hill farmers desperately rounding up animals to have them vaccinated, with sheep requiring one jab and cattle havng to be treated twice.

A number of animals have already had to be destroyed in the Timberscombe area and there are concerns the outbreak could affect traditional agricultural shows such as Dunster Show.

Bluetongue is spread by midges and was formerly confined to southern Europe but has spread to the UK as milder weather allowed the insects to overwinter.

MP Rachel Gilmour is demanding urgent Government action to tackle a bluetongue disease outbreak in livestock on Exmoor.
MP Rachel Gilmour is demanding urgent Government action to tackle a bluetongue disease outbreak in livestock on Exmoor. (Contributed)

Mrs Gilmour has written to Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman to say the Government needs urgently to take action to both stop the spread of the disease and improve a reporting system which farmers and veterinary surgeons have told her is ‘unworkable’.

She said the current reporting process was slow and inefficient with vets spending up to an hour reporting a single case, at a time when speed was critical in controlling the outbreak.

Mrs Gilmour also highlighted a lack of cross-referencing between cases, even when several outbreaks occurred on the same farm.

She warned this created unnecessary duplication and risks, undermining efforts to monitor and manage the disease.

Mrs Gilmour said: “The impact of bluetongue on livestock producers across Exmoor is likely to be severe.

“Farmers are already contending with difficult weather conditions and considerable economic pressures.

“There are also growing concerns about the wider implications for livestock trade, both within the United Kingdom and with European partners, particularly as the warmer weather conditions continue the spread of the disease.

Farmers on Exmoor are said to be the worst-hit in the country by an outbreak of bluetongue disease among livestock.
Farmers on Exmoor are said to be the worst-hit in the country by an outbreak of bluetongue disease among livestock. (ENPA)

“Perhaps most concerningly, there is a growing perception that no effective solutions or practical measures are being brought forward to address the situation.”

Mrs Gilmour wanted to know what the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was doing to improve reporting, support affected farmers, and limit the spread and impact of the disease.

She said: “The spread of bluetongue disease is undoubtedly a concern for many across my constituency, which is why I am calling on the Minister to act.

“Supporting our farmers and farms is more important than ever, and if this Government is serious about providing that support, actioning urgent assistance for this outbreak is where it must start.

“I hope the Department provides the clarity and practical support our farmers need to manage this outbreak, and I look forward to a swift response.”

Although bluetongue does not pose any risk to human health or food safety, outbreaks can lead to prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

Government figures showed 11 confirmed cases in Devon and Somerset in the nine days between July 14 and 22 alone.

Clinical signs among affected animals include fever, lameness, facial swelling, nasal discharge, and mouth ulcers, with three deaths reported in July so far.