FARM DIARY

This will pile misery upon misery, as we persuade government to open up parts of the country that are not at risk of contracting FMD, should the bluetongue case prove to be correct, very large protection zones will be thrown around East Anglia.

We can only hope that as October approaches, the drop in temperature will kill off the midges that spread this disease.

Bluetongue is rampant in Europe now, with thousands of cases causing havoc for livestock farmers. The disease has a mortality rate of up to 50% in sheep, and severely debilitates cattle. No slaughter takes place, and therefore no compensation is paid, as this disease is not spread from animal to animal, but by midges.

The South East and East Anglia have been at risk for some weeks, and we knew that the risk would drop sharply in October, as the temperatures drop, especially at night.

FMD is meanwhile causing severe hardship all round, but in particular on the hills of Scotland, Wales and Northern England. The sheep men desperately need to get the sheep off the hills and their lambs sold.

This is their income for the year, and as the lambs are sold for further fattening, the movements are not allowed. It's the same for store cattle, and the call is out in these areas for financial help.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette September 26