Pay disruption for livestock farmers likely unless bluetongue plans are made, CLA says

Farmers in the north of England and Scottish borders face pay disruption for a second year unless governments work together in their approach to bluetongue vaccination, the CLA has warned.

Sheep farmers on both sides of the Scottish border suffered financial losses last year after autumn sales were disrupted by movement restrictions put in place because of foot and mouth disease.

And this year measures put in place to deal with bluetongue will cause farmers “severe problems”, the CLA said.

Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, CLA president, said uncertainty over bluetongue and vaccination plans had left many farmers “in limbo”.

“The CLA is asking the English and the Scottish administrations to urgently review the situation on the ground in the borders, and to take steps to ensure that this year’s autumn sales season can take place without major disruption,” he added.