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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Call for extended bluetongue zone | Call for extended bluetongue zone |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Farmers inside a protection zone set up because of bluetongue disease say it must be expanded to mainland Britain so they can move animals more freely. | |
| Animals cannot be moved outside the zone from East Sussex to Lincolnshire. | Animals cannot be moved outside the zone from East Sussex to Lincolnshire. |
| Extending the zone would make it easier for animals to be moved but would mean live animals would not be allowed to be exported for two years. | Extending the zone would make it easier for animals to be moved but would mean live animals would not be allowed to be exported for two years. |
| National Farmers' Union (NFU) leaders have rejected the calls saying tackling the disease must be the top priority. | National Farmers' Union (NFU) leaders have rejected the calls saying tackling the disease must be the top priority. |
| On Thursday, East Anglian farmers from inside the 150km (93-mile) protection zone will lobby Environment Secretary Hilary Benn to expand it to include the whole country - as has happened in Belgium - so they can move their animals more freely. | |
| It was like putting down an iron curtain across this part of England East Anglian NFU branch spokesman | |
| The current zone is causing serious problems for farmers who, in some cases, are unable to send their animals to slaughter. | The current zone is causing serious problems for farmers who, in some cases, are unable to send their animals to slaughter. |
| But national NFU officials say that, while they sympathise, getting to grips with the disease is their number one concern. | But national NFU officials say that, while they sympathise, getting to grips with the disease is their number one concern. |
| An NFU spokesman said Belgium was hit by bluetongue during a hot, dry spell over summer when the virus-spreading species of midges were prospering. | |
| Britain, however, was probably heading for a cold snap which would kill off the midges, he said, and by spring, when warmer weather returned, it was hoped a vaccine would be available. | |
| The protection zone was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak. | The protection zone was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak. |
| Livestock owners within the protection zone are allowed to move animals only within its boundaries. | Livestock owners within the protection zone are allowed to move animals only within its boundaries. |
| A stricter 20km (12-mile) control zone was set up in East Anglia around the known bluetongue cases. | A stricter 20km (12-mile) control zone was set up in East Anglia around the known bluetongue cases. |
| A spokesman for the East Anglian NFU branch said: "It was like putting down an iron curtain across this part of England." | |
| Restrictions prevent animals being moved out of both zones. | Restrictions prevent animals being moved out of both zones. |
| "Livestock is a very important part of our region and we want to make sure we have a viable livestock industry in the future," the spokesman said. | |
| On Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases of bluetongue disease rose to 24, the government said. | On Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases of bluetongue disease rose to 24, the government said. |
| The majority are in Suffolk, with a cluster around Ipswich and another case near to Lowestoft. | The majority are in Suffolk, with a cluster around Ipswich and another case near to Lowestoft. |
| The disease is transmitted by biting midges and the symptoms, which are most severe in sheep, include swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. | The disease is transmitted by biting midges and the symptoms, which are most severe in sheep, include swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. |
| BLUETONGUE IN CATTLE DroolingSwelling of the head and neckConjunctivitisSwelling of the mouthSwollen teatsTiredness Q&A: Bluetongue disease Markets back as ban lifted | BLUETONGUE IN CATTLE DroolingSwelling of the head and neckConjunctivitisSwelling of the mouthSwollen teatsTiredness Q&A: Bluetongue disease Markets back as ban lifted |
| There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in northern Europe - including the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany - since July, which had fuelled fears of its arrival in the UK. | There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in northern Europe - including the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany - since July, which had fuelled fears of its arrival in the UK. |
| Meanwhile, farmers will be able to take animals to market in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease from Thursday after government vets eased movement restrictions. | Meanwhile, farmers will be able to take animals to market in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease from Thursday after government vets eased movement restrictions. |
| The foot-and-mouth low risk area includes all of England, Scotland and Wales, apart from south-east England and the Home Counties. | The foot-and-mouth low risk area includes all of England, Scotland and Wales, apart from south-east England and the Home Counties. |
| Animals in bluetongue zones are subject to movement restrictions. | Animals in bluetongue zones are subject to movement restrictions. |
| EU experts have agreed that exports for some parts of the UK can resume next week if there are no more outbreaks of diseases. | EU experts have agreed that exports for some parts of the UK can resume next week if there are no more outbreaks of diseases. |