Bluetongue (Blue tongue) confirmed on third farm

A fourth case of bluetongue disease has been confirmed on a farm in Ipswich, near Suffolk, according to DEFRA.

This is now the third farm to have tested positive for the disease and the animal has since been culled.

Commenting on the confirmation of a fourth case of bluetongue in the UK, shadow environment secretary, Peter Ainsworth said:

“The news for British farming seems to get worse every day. This latest finding of bluetongue is ominous even though it is not entirely unexpected.

“After four confirmed cases, the Government should now make clear on what basis they will declare an official outbreak of bluetongue.”