Crowborough farmers facing new virus alert

FARMERS in the Crowborough area fear the spread of a potentially devastating new virus.

A farm in East Sussex is one of only three in the UK to so far be affected by the Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which has spread from Holland and Germany and causes miscarriages and birth defects in farm animals.

In the past decade farmers have had to contend with Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth, both of which led to enormous disruption and anxiety for the farming community.

At present SBV is something of a mystery. It is not known categorically how it is spread and there is currently no treatment or vaccine.

Farmers in Wealden are on alert. Robin Wilson, owner of Oakland Pigs in Rotherfield, who also farms sheep, said: "This is a concern – it's very early but we're keeping an eye on it and on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

"As a farmer you're always concerned about new diseases.

"If you have a high number of sheep aborting then that's my income from those sheep for the year gone."

The virus is so far believed to have affected a farm in Hailsham after being carried by infected midges, in a similar way to how Bluetongue infected farms in 2007, said Mark Cross farmer Richard Padfield.

"The unknown aspect is worrying," said the Renhurst Farm owner.

The Government expects more cases will be confirmed, and has asked for vets and farmers to be on the lookout.

Infected pregnant animals could have miscarriages, stillbirths or offspring with deformities such as a twisted neck, brain abnormalities or contracted limbs.

Of equal concern to farmers is that it can be detected only once livestock are born, which has prompted an urgent message from the South East branch of the National Farmers' Union for keepers of livestock to report any unusual signs, such as stillbirths or birth defects, to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.

Livestock board chairman Howard Bates said: "Please think twice and consider the bigger picture before importing ruminants from affected parts of Europe, and make sure you discuss plans with your vet first to reduce the risk of buying-in the virus."

Mark Wickens, who owns Upper Stone Farm in Danehill and farms sheep around Ashdown Forest, said: "You begin to think 'what else can we get from across the Channel?'

"We got Bluetongue and we're now free from that – it's another thing to be concerned about all the time.

"We've been made aware of this but there's no vaccine or treatment and the symptoms are so varied."