10/10/2007 - Hampshire Farmers Under the Cosh

Bluetongue Protection Zone Extended to Hampshire

The Bluetongue Protection Zone has now been  been extended to include most of South East England.   

Authorities affected in Hampshire now include Test Valley, Basingstoke and Deane, Eastleigh, East Hampshire, Winchester, Hart, Fareham, Havant, Rushmoor.

Hampshire farmers in these newly restricted areas will no longer be able to move animals to other areas for slaughter.  Animals can now only move to slaughter within the Bluetongue Protection Zone.  Movements to slaughter in Dorset or Wiltshire will not be permitted.

Caroline Nokes, the Conservative candidate for Romsey and Southampton North said:

"It has been a horrific year for farmers - floods, foot and mouth and now bluetongue. It is crucial that a grip is got on these diseases and that we support our farming communities at this difficult time."

Information about the restriction zone and a map are available on the Defra website via the link below:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/pdf/declaration-bt-pzcz101007.pdf