Dover farmer loses thousands after blue tongue restrictions

The TCZ that stretches from Canterbury to Thanet and down to Dover will be lifted next Monday.

Transcript

00:00 Another day looking after cattle in Dover.

00:05 At this spot you can see there were really a lot of cows, around a thousand in total,

00:10 but there'd been around 150 more than usual.

00:14 That's because of cases of blue tongue being found in cattle last November in Canterbury.

00:20 It's spread by midges.

00:22 The government created a temporary control zone,

00:25 preventing farmers having to fill in extra paperwork and restricting movement for their livestock.

00:31 And that's all come at a cost for this farmer.

00:34 I'd like to see compensation.

00:36 I don't understand that they're going to lift the restrictions as of Monday,

00:39 which is great news, don't get me wrong, that is great news for us.

00:42 But it's not going to replace the 40,000, 45,000 that we've already spent out.

00:47 They're not going to compensate us for any of the aggravation that we've had

00:51 in comparison to our neighbouring farmer two miles down the road that's under no restrictions at all.

00:56 I'm quite willing to jump through any hoops that they decide to throw our way,

01:01 if it's for the good and the great of the country,

01:04 but not when it financially impacts us as a family and as a unit.

01:08 The past few months have seen this farm having to bring extra labour in,

01:12 increase feed costs and expensive blood testing for all their cows.

01:17 And it's been having an impact on their newborns too.

01:20 Usually calves are one, a pen, but because of movement restrictions,

01:24 it's taking them longer to be able to send them to their newborn centre in Maidstone.

01:30 But some are now arguing, was this ever needed in the first place

01:34 and was it an overreaction from the government?

01:37 The only cattle they found and sheep they found with any sign of infection have all had antibodies.

01:42 So if they've got antibodies, they've got over the disease.

01:45 So the risk with the weather we've had, the low midge counts and now low midge season,

01:50 there's been no reason because there was no animal to animal transfer.

01:54 And it's based on incorrect science.

01:56 And if you can't base it on current science, then you shouldn't be doing it.

02:00 This is based on 2007/08 outcure, incursion that came.

02:04 In a statement, Defra told us these outbreaks are understandably concerning,

02:08 but they must take a precautionary approach to stop the wider spread across the UK.

02:15 They've also said they've looked to support farmers during this difficult time.

02:19 And that includes changing the rules so that some movements of live animals out of zones can be permitted.

02:26 They've also gone on to say they continue to assess when all restrictions can be lifted,

02:31 when the risk level is safe.

02:33 Restrictions may be lifting, but the fear is the midge season will start again in a few months' time.

02:39 A warmer climate for Kent might just be the recipe for further outbreaks and more restrictions.

02:47 Gabriel Morris for KMTV in Dover.

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