Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox is calling for more action from the government to support farmers over bluetongue.

The Tavistock Conservative MP has written to Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle calling for “a stronger and more coordinated response” to tackle the virus currently affecting sheep and cattle.

Sir Geoffrey is calling for the government to finance a national vaccination programme to prevent the disease becoming endemic.

This has been done in France.

Devon has been particularly badly hit by the disease. As of August 23, there have been 630 cases across the UK, of which 333 are in Devon. This is since July 10 when the current outbreak began.

Sir Geoffrey has urged farmers to come and share their concerns at his farming surgery at the Holsworthy and Stratton Show tomorrow, Thursday, August 27.

Sir Geoffrey said: "Bluetongue continues to be a serious concern for farmers throughout Torridge and Tavistock, and I have been speaking directly to farmers about the very real impact this disease is having on their livestock, livelihoods and businesses.

“I have been particularly concerned by the depth of concern for the future of farming families who are already dealing with the consequences of bluetongue, as well as those who are understandably worried about the risk to their herds and flocks.

“I have been pressing the government to take further action since the outbreak of the disease in Devon. It will not be enough simply to rely on the ad hoc schemes that have been used to date. We must have a stronger and more coordinated response, including increased resources for the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and AHDB [Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board], more free testing to identify cases and move towards a national vaccination scheme.

“This is one area where I believe we can learn from the approach being taken in France, where national vaccination is being used as an important part of the response to the disease.I will be holding a farming surgery at the Holsworthy Show and, if any farmers would like to speak to me about bluetongue or the wider pressures facing their businesses, I would very much like to hear from them.

“Our farmers are at the heart of our rural communities and economy. They work extraordinarily hard to produce our food and maintain our countryside, and they must have the support of the government in doing everything it can to protect them and their livelihoods.I am raising these issues directly with ministers and pressing for the stronger action that this serious threat demands."

In his letter to the minister, Sir Geoffrey said: “While I recognise the efforts that have already been made though surveillance and movement controls, many of those I speak to believe that we now need a more ambitious and proactive approach. They point to the experience of France, where vaccination has been placed at the centre of efforts to combat bluetongue and where government has acted in a coordinated way to encourage widespread uptake of vaccination across the livestock sector.”

He added: “Vaccination offers the best prospect of protecting animals, maintaining confidence within the industry and limiting the economic damage that could otherwise result”.