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Bluetongue cases increase to 24 Bluetongue cases increase to 24
(40 minutes later)
The number of confirmed cases of bluetongue disease has risen to 24, the government has said.The number of confirmed cases of bluetongue disease has risen to 24, the government has said.
All of the cases are within the existing control zone in East Anglia, a Defra spokeswoman confirmed.All of the cases are within the existing control zone in East Anglia, a Defra spokeswoman confirmed.
The total has risen from 11 cases on Saturday and includes a cluster around a rare breeds farm near Ipswich.The total has risen from 11 cases on Saturday and includes a cluster around a rare breeds farm near Ipswich.
Meanwhile, rules restricting lorry drivers' hours are to be relaxed to help reduce the backlog of animals awaiting transportation to market.Meanwhile, rules restricting lorry drivers' hours are to be relaxed to help reduce the backlog of animals awaiting transportation to market.
The daily driving limit will rise from nine hours to 10 in areas of low disease risk once the restrictions on animal movement are eased on 4 October. From 4 October, cattle, sheep and goats can be taken to market, providing the outbreak situation does not change.
From then, cattle, sheep and goats can be transported to market, providing the outbreak situation does not change. The Department for Transport (DfT) said the daily driving limit for lorries would rise from nine hours to 10 in areas of low disease risk from that date to help clear the backlog.
Farmers across Britain have warned that restrictions on moving animals imposed following the foot-and-mouth outbreak could ruin them financially.
This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it will be carefully monitored Transport Secretary Ruth KellyThis is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it will be carefully monitored Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "This is an important time for farmers and livestock owners. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said the changes were being introduced at an important time of year for farmers' livelihoods, adding: "This will help minimise the impact of foot-and-mouth on the rural economy, as well as protect animal welfare."
"Therefore, after careful consideration, when movements to livestock markets are permitted in low-risk areas we will be relaxing the rules governing drivers' hours. Control zone
"This will help minimise the impact of foot-and-mouth on the rural economy, as well as protect animal welfare." Government vets confirmed last Friday that bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was now classed as an outbreak.
Farmers across Britain have warned that the backlog of animals awaiting transportation to market and to slaughter could ruin them financially. A 20km control zone was imposed in Suffolk around affected farms, and outside that, a 150km protection zone was put in place.
The measure will apply throughout Scotland and Wales as well as all areas of England which lie in the foot-and-mouth low-risk zone. Farmers within the 20km control zone are not permitted to transport livestock out of the area, unless for slaughter within the wider protection zone.
Movement to markets will still not be permitted in bluetongue disease risk areas. Livestock owners within the protection zone are allowed to move animals only within its boundaries.
The disease is transmitted by biting midges and the symptoms, which are most severe in sheep, include swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose.
Tiredness
Rules governing drivers hours will be relaxed throughout Scotland and Wales as well as all areas of England which lie in the foot-and-mouth low-risk zone.
The changes will be in place for a month.The changes will be in place for a month.
EU rules
Ms Kelly said: "Tiredness is an important road safety issue and rules ensuring hauliers take proper breaks and work sensible hours protect all road users.Ms Kelly said: "Tiredness is an important road safety issue and rules ensuring hauliers take proper breaks and work sensible hours protect all road users.
BLUETONGUE IN CATTLE DroolingSwelling of the head and neckConjunctivitisSwelling of the mouthSwollen teatsTiredness Q&A: Bluetongue disease
"Therefore, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it will be carefully monitored.""Therefore, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it will be carefully monitored."
The Department for Transport (DfT) said drivers' mandatory weekly rest periods would be reduced from 45 hours to 24 and there would be no weekly or fortnightly driving time limits. The DfT said drivers' mandatory weekly rest periods would be reduced from 45 hours to 24 and there would be no weekly or fortnightly driving time limits.
Drivers are also subject to EU working time legislation which restricts their total hours at work, not just those spent driving.Drivers are also subject to EU working time legislation which restricts their total hours at work, not just those spent driving.
The DfT is temporarily increasing this limit from 60 hours to 66.The DfT is temporarily increasing this limit from 60 hours to 66.
There will be no change to the requirements for daily rest and breaks.There will be no change to the requirements for daily rest and breaks.
'Crisis''Crisis'
Earlier, ministers in Scotland welcomed the move, saying thousands of sheep could have starved on the Scottish hills without it.Earlier, ministers in Scotland welcomed the move, saying thousands of sheep could have starved on the Scottish hills without it.
Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "At long last, the UK government has recognised the scale of the crisis facing Scotland's livestock sector and the need for hauliers to have this concession to allow them to get moving again and deal with the backlog of livestock."Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "At long last, the UK government has recognised the scale of the crisis facing Scotland's livestock sector and the need for hauliers to have this concession to allow them to get moving again and deal with the backlog of livestock."
The foot-and-mouth risk area covers Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.The foot-and-mouth risk area covers Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.
The bluetongue control zone currently comprises parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.The bluetongue control zone currently comprises parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.