Bluetongue crisis and funding woes weigh heavily on Cornwall farmers
Cornwall councillor and farmer says he's "never seen anything like it" in 25 years of farming
Cornwall's agricultural community is grappling with the impacts of the bluetongue virus alongside unexpected funding shortages, posing significant challenges to farmers like Councillor Adrian Parsons.
Bluetongue, a virus affecting sheep and cattle, has taken a toll on Cornwall's livestock.
"In my last 25 years of farming, I've never known anything quite like it," said Cllr Parsons.
"First few sheep went a bit lethargic, one or two died and we wondered what was going on.
"We had the vet out and started treating as best we could - there's not a cure. This is a virus, so you can only try and help them through the situation and prevent secondary infection.
"I've never seen anything like it."
He described the experience as "traumatic".
"You'd go out each day, you'd never really know quite what you were going to find," he said.
"Poorly sheep, the odd dead sheep. I've never seen sheep of the flock lose conditions so quickly.
"Quite a traumatic time, really."
As Cornwall's farmers continue to face the effects of the virus, they are also facing funding problems.
The sustainable farming incentive scheme recently closed its application window on the same day it opened, leaving many without expected financial support. Cllr Parsons described this situation as creating "total unfairness," potentially forcing some farmers to struggle with operating costs through the upcoming winter.
'In my last 25 years of farming, I've never known anything quite like it'
Diesel prices - which have now hit £2 per litre, further exacerbate financial strain.
Cllr Parsons said: "If you have cattle that need to be fed, you have to feed them. If you've got crops that need to be harvested, you have to harvest them."
However, rising costs might push farmers to re-evaluate their methods, potentially altering crop rotations and farm operations in response to expenses.
Cllr Parsons said he expects there to be long-term impacts of the bluetongue virus, sharing his concern about the breeding repercussions.
"Rams have taken quite a hit by blue tongue," he said.
"The ones that have survived, they are not proving to be as fertile as perhaps they should be.
"So I think the consequences of this will be with us perhaps for the next six months and through the breeding cycle."
He said he hopes the vaccine will improve the situation.
Cllr Parsons also pointed to environmental changes as a potential contribute to the prevalence of bluetongue.
"As our climate changes and the temperatures are warmer, we seem to be more open and affected by these diseases," he said.