Relief measures for farmers hit by bluetongue
Getty ImagesFarmers affected by the bluetongue outbreak will get extra support to help them navigate the crisis, a council has said.
Bluetongue disease, which affects the health and fertility of sheep, cattle and other animals, has had a significant impact in Devon and Cornwall.
Devon County Council said its cabinet had agreed measures allowing tenants of its Farms Estate who have been hit financially by confirmed bluetongue incidents to be offered "flexible" rental arrangements.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, a cabinet member and farmer said rental payment plans could provide some "welcome breathing space" at an "incredibly difficult time".
She said these would be considered where "appropriate, reasonable and proportionate".
'Managing outbreaks'
Meanwhile Cottle-Hunkin said the council would also "make the case strongly" to the government for improved rural broadband connectivity.
She said a lack of connectivity was "restricting access to services and holding back farmers and businesses".
She said farmers were "increasingly reliant" on connectivity to run businesses and meet regulatory requirements, while it was key to accessing funding and "managing outbreaks such as bluetongue".
To this end, the council would "step up pressure" on the government to improve connectivity for farming communities.
It said Cottle-Hunkin and fellow politicians would write to Devon MPs, asking them to "ensure the impact of the bluetongue outbreak and lessons learned in Devon are reflected in future government policy and disease control arrangements".
Councillor Simon Clist, cabinet member with responsibility for the council's farms estate and a farmer himself, said broadband was "essential infrastructure".
"We remain resolutely committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our farming community."
It follows the council's decision to reinstate the Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme providing specific help to farmers hit by the ongoing impact of the 2026 bluetongue outbreak.
Councillor Louise Wainwright, vice-chair on the council's farms estate committee, said she was bringing experts together to evaluate whether fungus could be used to reduce midge populations, but vaccination "remains the most important way" to protect animals.