Extra support agreed for Devon farmers hit by bluetongue
Flexible rent payments and a push for better rural broadband
Farmers affected by the bluetongue outbreak in Devon are to receive further support following a decision by Devon County Council's Cabinet.
The new measures include more flexibility for tenants on the council's County Farms Estate whose cashflow has been directly affected by confirmed bluetongue cases.
The council will also step up pressure on the Government to improve broadband connectivity for farming communities.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband and a farmer herself, said: "Bluetongue has had a devastating impact on farming families across Devon and we want to do everything reasonably within our power to support them."
Rent flexibility for County Farms tenants
Where appropriate, "reasonable and proportionate" alternative rental payment plans will be considered to help affected tenants manage financial pressures.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said: "For our County Farms tenants directly affected by confirmed cases, being flexible about how rent is paid could provide some welcome breathing space at an incredibly difficult time."
Push for better rural broadband
The council said reliable broadband is becoming increasingly important for farmers.
It said farmers need it to run their businesses, meet regulatory and reporting requirements, manage disease outbreaks and access funding.
As part of the measures agreed, the council will call for national investment in better broadband provision in rural areas affected by bluetongue.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said: "We also know that the lack of rural broadband connectivity is restricting access to services and holding back farmers and businesses. Farmers increasingly rely on good connectivity to run their businesses, meet regulatory requirements, access funding and manage outbreaks such as bluetongue."
She added: "We will continue to make the case strongly to Government for investment in those rural communities that are still being left behind."
Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the council's farms estate and a farmer himself, said: "For people living and working in rural Devon, good broadband is no longer a luxury. It is essential infrastructure."
He also said: "Our farmers are already dealing with the impact of diseases such as Bluetongue, Shamonda virus, Schmallenberg, AI and others. At times like these, reliable connectivity is particularly important, helping farmers access information, report disease, meet regulatory requirements and run their businesses."
Councillor Simon Clist added: "We remain resolutely committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our farming community."
Letter to MPs
Councillor Cottle-Hunkin will also write to Devon MPs, alongside the Chair of the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee.
The letter will ask them to make sure the impact of the bluetongue outbreak, and the lessons learned in Devon, are reflected in future Government policy and disease control arrangements.
Earlier support for farming families
The council said the decision builds on an agreement last month to reinstate its Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme.
That includes up to £180,000 over three years to provide practical advice, wellbeing support and early intervention services for farming families.
Research into reducing midge numbers
Councillor Louise Wainwright, vice-chair of the council's Farms Estate committee, has a background in the commercialisation of biological controls of pests and diseases.
She is bringing together a consortium of researchers, veterinary experts and farmers in Devon.
They are seeking funding to evaluate whether a fungus could be commercialised to reduce populations of the midges that carry the bluetongue virus.
Councillor Wainwright emphasised that vaccination remains the most important way to protect animals.