News

The bluetongue protection zone has now reached Shepway and Dover but areas of land and footpaths in the county remain open.

Defra has declared a control zone covering areas of Shepway, Thanet, Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone and Swale meaning animals can only be moved within these areas or straight to slaughter.

Trading standards officials have said the Kent countryside is still open for business despite the outbreak of bluetongue disease found on a farm in Boughton Aluph, just outside Ashford.

The protection zone has now been extended across much of England, reaching into North Yorkshire, Cheshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and down to the Isle of Wight.

Bluetongue is an viral disease carried by midges, which is currently untreatable.
 

Up to 100,000 sheep on Romney Marsh face being culled because they cannot be moved to their traditional winter grazing pastures.

An estimated 90,000 lambs and 10,000 ewes which graze on the Romney Marshes in Kent and East Sussex are trapped because they cannot be moved from the bluetongue protection zone, farmer Frank Langrish said.

In winter the Marshes’ capacity to sustain sheep grazing reduces five-fold.

As a result sheep are traditionally moved west to winter before returning to their summer pastures to begin lambing in April.

Mr Langrish, who chairs the British Wool Marketing Board, said: “About 100,000 sheep are trapped, they don’t have anywhere to go.�

The trapped sheep are estimated to be worth £4m but until a welfare scheme is put in place, farmers will receive no compensation.

Mr Langrish, who is also a National Farmers Union (NFU) consultant, said: “This is more serious than foot-and-mouth. It’s not the disease that is going to kill the animals, it’s the control zone that is going to kill the animals."

An NFU spokeswoman said: “If the worst comes to the worst they may have to be culled. There may not be enough grazing to sustain them through winter.�

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in Guildford in Surrey has led to restrictions in the movement of livestock across the UK in an attempt to contain, control and eradicate the disease.

While there have been no reported outbreaks in Kent, the county will be taking every precaution possible to ensure it stays that way. Kent Trading Standards has provided the following advice.

What animals are banned from movement?

All livestock and carcasses (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) including deer, llama, and alpaca are banned from movement. Dairy cattle, however, are permitted to move from one part of premises to another part of the same premises using a public highway for the purpose of milking provided that any animal excreta is removed from the part of the highway used immediately after the movement is completed. Horses are not included in the movement ban.

What should farmers do to prevent the spread of disease?

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) advises that farmers increase their checks on their livestock for signs of foot and mouth disease. In addition, levels of biosecurity should be increased on livestock farms. Further information on this is available from the Defra website (link opens in a new window).

Can I obtain a licence to move my animals?

It is very unlikely that any licences will be issued at the moment. Visit the Defra website (link opens in a new window) or call their helpline on 08459 33 55 77 for further advice.

Are there any other restrictions?

All animal gatherings such as livestock markets, shows and sales are banned. Sheep shearing and sheep dipping, hunting, stalking, and the shooting of deer are also controlled. Farmers must take every precaution against livestock straying from premises.

What about access to the countryside?

Rights of way, other than on the infected premise itself are NOT currently affected. It is hoped that no closures will be required but Defra will decide on any changes to this policy depending on the identified veterinary risk. Sensible precautions when walking in the countryside are to avoid contact with any livestock and to clean any footwear contaminated with animal dung.

Should I report any movements of animals?

If you are aware of any illegal movements of livestock in Kent during the ban, call our contact centre on 08458 247 247, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Any other queries should be directed to the Defra helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
 

Severe hail storms have wiped out a number of oilseed rape crops in Kent, according to the county’s National Farmers Union chairman, Chris Older.

Hail stones “as big as golf balls� fell last Sunday across a band approximately one-two miles wide by 10-12 miles long in the Romney Marsh area, Mr Older said.

“It’s been disastrous, particularly for rape, as pods have suffered severe shedding. Many farmers have reported 80-90% losses, and in some cases it’s up to 100%. In one crop I’ve seen, it’s a job to find a pod that’s still whole.�

He was aware of one farmer who had 600 acres affected and another with 300 acres that had been hit, but was sure there was much more.

“It’s particularly bad as most growers are uninsured against things like this,� he added.

While oilseed rape was worst affected, some cereals had also started to lodge and there were a few reports of barley crops having had ears knocked off, he said. “I’ve even heard reports that one crop of maize had its leaves stripped completely.�