Foot and mouth outbreak / Bluetongue

For the latest situation on outbreaks:  

If you are a farmer (or if you keep ruminating animals) and have specific questions or concerns regarding either Bluetongue or Foot and Mouth, please contact Bedfordshire County Council Trading Standards Service.

Tel: (01234) 228897 Email: business@bedscc.gov.uk

Defra Foot and Mouth/Bluetongue Pages   Latest situation, advice, interactive maps, Q & A
National Farmers Union
BBC News Foot and Mouth Q & A
BBC News Bluetongue Q & A
Food and Drink Agency  Updates for food businesses on the impact of FMD

Defra Animal Health Divisional Office, Chelmsford (01245) 358383

Defra Alerts Service

Defra's free news alert subscription service is designed to help people keep in touch with the latest developments regarding animal disease. The service is mainly for farmers and livestock keepers, although it’s available to everyone. By registering, you will receive information via your choice of text, fax, voicemail or email on up to five notifiable animal diseases. More

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Support

£100k support for East of England farmers affected by bird flu, FMD and bluetongue

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has launched a £100,000 fund to support the region's farmers affected (directly or indirectly) by avian ‘flu, foot and mouth and bluetongue. The money will be used for financial planning, marketing and other support to help businesses meet the current and ongoing challenges. It will enable individual farmers to understand the extent of their business difficulties and how to deal w ith them. Additional support to businesses will be offered through the agricultural charities. Details are still being confirmed and there will be further announcements as the information becomes available.

The financial planning support is available through Business Link East .  Farmers in Bedfordshire should contact Diane Budd 07739 596411

Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Rural Support Group is a local charity that is part of a national network of support groups dedicated to combating stress and hardship in rural areas.  Rural Support Line Tel: 08454 500 290     Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Rural Support Group

The Arthur Rank Centre is working with the Farming Help Charities to ensure that appropriate support and resources are available as and when they become necessary. The ARC-Addington Fund which has already re-opened its hardship scheme for farmers affected by the recent floods, is extending this to cover hardship arising from the restrictions imposed as a result of this outbreak of FMD. This is open to all farmers not just those in the protection and surveillance zones.   The local coordinator for this funding is the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Rural Support Group   Tel: 08454 500 290.

HM Revenue & Customs (National) has set out measures, such as deferring collection of taxes and duties, to help individuals and businesses that will find it difficult to meet their tax obligations due to the foot and mouth outbreak.   A new Helpline has been set up to support those affected by foot and mouth disease. It will enable individuals and businesses affected by the outbreak to get fast, practical help and advice on tax matters.   The Helpline is on 0845 366 1207.   It will be open seven days a week from 8.00am to 8.00pm.  Tax credit recipients are asked to continue to use the helpline number 0845 300 3900. HMRC website