Farming Minister invited to Dartmoor for third time amid bluetongue concerns
Rebecca Smith has again invited Farming Minister Stephen Morgan to Dartmoor, with Devon recording 334 of the 795 confirmed UK bluetongue cases cited in Parliament
South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith has again called on Farming Minister Stephen Morgan to visit Dartmoor as concerns continue over the spread of bluetongue in Devon.
Devon has recorded 334 of the UK's 795 confirmed bluetongue cases, according to figures cited by Ms Smith, giving the county the highest number in the country.
A further case was also recorded in Devon during the week, she said.
The figures were raised during a parliamentary exchange with Mr Morgan, when Ms Smith renewed her invitation for the minister to visit Dartmoor and meet local farmers.
She told the minister she had invited him three times but had yet to receive a response to letters sent over the previous few months.
“Dartmoor is a key farming part of Devon itself,” Ms Smith said. “My farmers in South West Devon would very much welcome a visit.”
Mr Morgan responded by saying he was eager to make the visit to Devon.
“I’m very keen to visit Dartmoor and I’m sure we can make that possible as soon as the diary allows,” he said.
Bluetongue is a viral disease that can affect sheep, cattle, goats and other livestock. It is spread by biting midges.
The MP has previously raised concerns with ministers about the availability of bluetongue vaccines after local farmers contacted her about the outbreak.
In an earlier statement, she said farmers had reported concerns over access to vaccines and the wider response, and confirmed that she had written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Nationally, more than 2,500 potential cases were still being investigated, according to figures referred to by Ms Smith. Farmers were also facing delays in receiving test results and difficulties obtaining vaccines.
The Government has said it is increasing testing capacity and securing additional vaccine supplies.
Devon's 334 confirmed cases represent more than 40 per cent of the 795 cases cited in the parliamentary exchange.
Ms Smith's latest call is for the Farming Minister to visit Dartmoor and hear directly from farmers about the impact of the outbreak and the problems they are experiencing.