Farmers affected by the bluetongue outbreak are to receive further support following a decision by our Cabinet committee.
The new measures include greater flexibility for tenants on our County Farms Estate whose cashflow has been directly affected by confirmed bluetongue incidents.
Where appropriate, reasonable and proportionate alternative rental payment plans will be considered to help affected tenants manage financial pressures.
We will also step up pressure on Government to improve broadband connectivity for farming communities.
Reliable broadband is becoming increasingly important for farmers to run their businesses, meet regulatory and reporting requirements, manage disease outbreaks and access funding.
As part of the measures agreed today, we will call for national investment in better broadband provision in rural areas affected by bluetongue.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Our work has highlighted the barriers that can prevent communities getting the connectivity they need. We want the lessons from the voucher scheme to be learned and practical solutions found so that rural homes, farms and businesses are not left behind.
“We remain resolutely committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our farming community.”
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin will also write to Devon MPs, alongside the Chair of the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee, asking them to ensure the impact of the bluetongue outbreak and lessons learned in Devon are reflected in future Government policy and disease control arrangements.
Our decision this week builds on our agreement last month to reinstate the Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme, with up to £180,000 over three years to provide practical advice, wellbeing support and early intervention services for farming families.
Councillor Louise Wainwright, is vice-chair on our Farms Estate committee and 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 blue tongue virus. She emphasises that vaccination remains the most important way to protect animals.