Emergency grants for farmers hit by bluetongue and drought

Farmers facing a double hit from drought and bluetongue are being offered emergency financial support as concern grows over the disease’s spread across the South West.

The Addington Fund has launched its 2026 drought and bluetongue emergency grants, offering one-off help towards essential livestock feed costs through its Forage Aid scheme.

The charity says the support is aimed at farming families facing temporary financial hardship who do not have enough feed, fodder or straw to meet their animals’ needs.

See also: Farmers warned fleece will not protect sheep from BTV-3

Addington says the new grants are intended to provide practical, short-term help while safeguarding animal welfare during an exceptionally difficult period.

Applicants must be working farmers with a CPH and SBI number, with farming their main source of income, and must have no accessible savings, reserves or overdraft facilities to meet the immediate need.

The scheme comes as bluetongue continues to put pressure on livestock businesses.

Addington Fund says its emergency relief is supporting farmers severely affected by disease outbreaks and extreme weather.

The charity has also thanked the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust for contributing £50,000 to the fund in Addington’s 25th anniversary year.

The latest government figures for the BTV-3 strain of bluetongue show 373 cases across the UK in the 2026-27 season, including 362 in England, nine in Wales and two in Scotland.

NFU events

The NFU, meanwhile, is preparing to host a series of farmer-member meetings on the latest situation in Devon next week to offer the latest update and expert advice from the NFU and Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) vets on the disease.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance via the NFU’s website.

Two NFU events are planned for Wednesday 19 August, at 2pm at Holsworthy Market, and 7.30pm at North Molton Sports Club.

An additional event will take place at 2pm on Thursday 20 August at Sedgemoor Auction Centre.

Separately, Torch Farm Vets is hosting a free north Devon information evening on bluetongue at Filleigh Village Hall, Filleigh, Barnstaple, from 6.30pm to 9pm on Tuesday 25 August.

This event will bring farmers together with veterinary and Apha specialists to discuss testing, vaccination, restrictions and biosecurity.

Places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.

Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, said on Facebook she was attending an emergency ministerial meeting on Friday (14 August) with MPs on the government and Apha response to bluetongue.

Devon County Council cabinet member for rural affairs, Liberal Democrat Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, has written to ministers and South West MPs demanding faster and simpler testing, clearer reporting of affected farms, better communication and adequate vaccine supplies.