Mr Reed came to a farm near Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, run by Ian Frood and his family.
His visit came just days after all of East Anglia, the South East of England and central London as well parts of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire were included in a new bluetongue restricted zone.
He was joined by Sascha Van Helvoort, Veterinary Head of Outbreak Delivery at APHA at the farm.
As well as hearing from the Frood family, Mr Reed was briefed by the NFU team, including NFU National Livestock Board chair David Barton, NFU chief animal health and welfare adviser Cat McLaughlin and regional policy manager for the east of England Charles Hesketh.
The Secretary of State was shown a cow that is isolating at the farm due to bluetongue, although it is not showing any clinical signs.
He heard how being designated as a restricted premises was impacting on farming operations and the group also highlighted uncertainty over the future and some of the issues that had arisen because of the testing programme.
Key issues raised
Speaking after the visit, NFU member Dr Frood said: “This was a useful opportunity to meet the minister and his team and to talk through the issues.
“We discussed how the situation will be handled this year and into next year, and asked for clarity around how infected premises are dealt with. For example, we are isolating an animal with bluetongue but there is no time limit on how long for.”
Mr Hesketh said key asks were raised around ensuring sufficient resourcing for APHA, development of an effective vaccine with full or provisional authorisation, and improvements needed to communications from government.
“This was a useful opportunity to meet the minister and his team and to talk through the issues.”
NFU member Ian Frood
“It was great to meet the Secretary of State on farm to discuss the real life issues we are hearing from members as a result of not only the disease itself but the current control strategy to manage disease spread,” Mr Hesketh added.
The Defra Secretary said he had seen “first-hand the experiences of farmers battling this disease”, adding that Defra is “working hard to prevent its spread into other areas of England and Great Britain”.
“We understand restrictions can have an impact but stress the importance of everyone adhering to these. We are committed to working with everyone affected and urge people to report livestock they suspect have the disease.”
Other topics discussed included SFI, the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway and the use of farm information by APHA.
Photograph: Defra
Stay up to date with the latest on bluetongue
The NFU remains busy speaking with its livestock members about sector issues including bluetongue and is offering guidance on where farmers can find help and support as well as working with industry stakeholders on webinars focused on the issue.
For the latest information head to our bluetongue essential information page.
Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately. Failure to do so is an offence:
- England – call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
- Wales – contact 0300 303 8268.
- Scotland – contact your local Field Services Office.
