Suffolk sheep farmers count cost of Bluetongue restrictions

Movement restrictions were expanded to include the whole of Suffolk and Norfolk this weekend after more cases of the potentially deadly virus were found in sheep flocks.

Last week a restriction zone was imposed over Norwich, Lowestoft and Haddiscoe after cases were discovered on farms. More followed.

The disease is not a threat to human health but can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cattle.

It's suspected that the latest cases were infected by midges blown over the Channel from Holland or Belgium where the disease has taken hold.

It means sheep and cattle owners in the two counties can only move animals under licence - and to destinations such as approved slaughterhouses.

Farmers are extremely worried about what the future holds and how the shutdown will affect their bottom lines.

Out in west Suffolk, Chris Reeks, of La Hogue Farm Shop is grazing 2,000 of his sheep on the Euston Estate.

He's on the outer edge of the restriction zone but as things stand he won't be able to move his sheep across the border to winter grazing in Cambridgeshire as he planned.

He also won't be able to take 100 of his breeding sheep to a breeding sale he was lined up to attend in Melton Mowbray this autumn. Plans to take his fat lambs to Colchester market are also on hold. 

"It's extremely worrying because this outbreak seems more severe than last year's and how it's affecting me is we can still move sheep within Suffolk and Norfolk but we can't go outside those areas."

The lack of movement means he will have more sheep to keep over the winter than he planned - which means more feed consumed.

"The uncertainty is quite worrying to be honest with you - both for cattle and sheep farmers," he admits.

He sees little chance of restrictions being lifted soon - and every chance that cases could be found in neighbouring counties - sucking them into the same harsh regime.

At the moment there is sufficient grass but he is facing drought conditions on the estate where there has been just one day's rain in six to eight weeks, he said. Just months ago he was wading out to rescue his sheep after they were stuck in floodwater.

The warmer weather is providing an ideal climate for the midges to carry on breeding, he fears.

It's possible - if cases are found over the borders - that the zone will be extended. He worries about farmers with store and breeding stock they need to offload. 

As things stand, they can't take them to Colchester livestock market because of the restrictions - although they could go to Norwich which is inside the zone.

"As soon as we turn into the autumn and the grass stops growing it's extremely worrying," he said.  "In a couple of weeks I would be looking to sell fat lambs at Colchester but as it stands I can't.

But he added: "Farmers are very resilient I have to say and I have been speaking to a lot of farmers about this and although it's extremely worrying we are quite a resilient bunch because we have to be - and we keep calm and carry on.

"Farmers are talking to each other obviously and supporting each other. We are the only once between us that understand it and understand the challenges being constantly thrown at us."

Colchester market auctioneer Graham Ellis said Suffolk and Norfolk sheep made up 60% of animals sold last week - so his business is now facing a huge downturn.

Sheep at Colchester livestock market (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

He is trying to bring in more animals - mainly from Essex and Hertfordshire. The situation had changed dramatically in the last seven days, he said.

"Hopefully that will enable us to get some numbers back but it's hard. Suffolk and Norfolk are big stock areas. Next week we may all be in the zone - who knows where it's going?"

He added: "It's just extra work. We have got farmers who want to sell to us who can't which is annoying and frustrating."

"In a week we have gone from limited restriction to two counties being fully restricted."