Farmers in and around the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), can now access and call a dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation.

All farmers and keepers of animals can access the bluetongue hotline: 024 7771 0386.

NFU members can also access the CallFirst hotline: 0370 845 8458

The bluetongue hotline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and has been set up to support farmers affected following the confirmed case near Canterbury, Kent, earlier this month.

Farmers will be signposted to the Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) bluetongue hub for the most up-to-date bluetongue information, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for queries relating to surveillance testing and Defra for details on available licenses for any animal movements.

Surveillance is on-going in the 10km TCZ following the BTV-3 bluetongue case, said Dr Joseph Henry BVMS Cert SHP MRCVS, chair of the RH&W bluetongue working group and president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.

He added: “If you farm animals in or around the TCZ, or are a smallholder with sheep, cattle or camelids, please do ensure you are registered with your paperwork up-to-date, to allow routine disease surveillance to be undertaken so we can build an accurate picture of the disease situation.”