We urge the Government to provide funding to cover all testing costs imposed on farmers relating to Bluetongue. DEFRA should fund this, as costs could burden farmers unfairly. Testing requirements vary across the UK; the Government should fund these costs or scrap testing altogether.

Midges migrate across borders naturally, so we believe restricting animal movements and imposing further costs on farmers is unfair and ineffective. We are concerned livestock farmers could face financial devastation. We think the restrictions are illogical for a midge-spread virus and may further undermine food security.