Farmers’ bluetongue gloom

Saddleworth’s largest sheep farmer warned of a poor outlook for the hill farming community — despite the announcement of an extension of the bluetongue protection zone.

Oldham Council has been told by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that the zone has been extended to include all of Oldham from this week.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Mark Alcock, said: “Now this decision has been announced, vaccination can start and it will be possible for vets to quickly supply all livestock owners in Oldham who can vaccinate their animals.

“Following a standstill period of 60 days, all livestock will then be allowed to move freely anywhere in the UK. This is very good news, as previously it was not possible to move outside the protection and surveillance zones. This means that more markets are opened up to local farmers which is good news for everyone concerned.”

NFU spokesman Carl Hudspith, said: “The extension of the zone into Oldham is really positive news. Hill farmers in Saddleworth will now have the choice to vaccinate their livestock against the devastating effects of bluetongue.”

But Chris Crowther, who farms more than 12,000 acres of high moorland above Greenfield, said today: “We are not yet clear of problems. The housewife is being knocked sideways by the credit crunch which, in itself, impacts on the price of lamb.

“We are still reeling from last year’s foot and mouth problems, backed by the halt on moving livestock.”

He added: “We have been vaccinating against bluetongue but there is still a long way to go to ensure everything is all right. We are being knocked sideways over prices on the high street again.”

Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle. The first case in the UK was detected last September in East Anglia.