COUNCILLORS at Torridge District Council unanimously voted to show support to farmers in their area.

In what has been an ‘incredibly tough year’ for farmers amid the outbreak of bluetongue virus and drought caused by a long persistent spell of dry weather coming on the back of a particularly wet winter, Torridge District Councillors were asked to support a notice of motion by Cllr Nigel Kenneally, the council member for Milton and Tamarside.

He put before the council a motion that would see the council write to DEFRA with the concerns shared in the area about the system for testing and managing the bluetongue virus outbreak.

There will also be a £10,000 grant from Torridge District Council to the Farming Community Network (FCN), a body which provides farmers with assistance and support.

Cllr Nigel Kenneally said: “Farming is such an important part of life here in Milton and and Tamarside and the wider Torridge area, where It is the primary financial driver. I’ve spoken to farmers in our area and heard first-hand about the pressures they have been facing, and I felt strongly that we as a Council needed to do something locally to show that we are standing alongside them.

“Farmers have had an incredibly tough year. The effects of drought have put huge pressure on farms, livestock and incomes, and the continuing Bluetongue outbreak has brought even more uncertainty and financial pressure for sheep and cattle farmers.

“The motion calls on DEFRA to provide greater financial and practical support, increase testing capacity and speed up the return of results, and expedite the procurement of additional vaccines.

“It also proposes a one-off £10,000 grant to the Farming Community Network (FCN) to support farmers and farming families in the Torridge District Council area.

“FCN does fantastic work, providing practical and emotional support to farmers and families going through incredibly difficult circumstances.

“Our farming community is at the heart of Torridge, and I’ll continue to do what I can to stand up for them.”

Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said: “It’s been an extremely tough year for farmers this year right across the region, it’s been a double-whammy with the drought and then the terrible bluetongue outbreak.

“It was amazing to see Cllr Nigel Kenneally’s motion gain unanimous, cross-party support in support of our farmers and the work of the farming community network.

“We need a funded long-term strategy from Defra to make sure the devastating impacts of this terrible virus do not impact our livestock and our farmers in the same way again.”

Cllr Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council said: “I’m delighted that Full Council gave its full support to Councillor Keneally’ s Notice of Motion to support Farmers who having faced a difficult time during the summer heat waves and now find themselves facing the financial and heartbreaking effects of Blue tongue.

“Farming is an important economic driver in rural Torridge by supporting farmers in their negotiations with DEFRA and by giving support to the local FCN members have shown their commitment to the farming community."