According to figures from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), more than 2,250 livestock farms are affected by the bluetongue virus. In our province there are infections at companies in Utrecht, Bunschoten, Abcoude, Eemnes, Hoogland, Kamerik, Leusden and Woudenberg. The disease is transmitted by midges, very small biting flies, and mainly affects sheep, but cattle and goats can also become ill.
Farmer Joop from Portengen has already lost 24 sheep to bluetongue virus: ‘You are so powerless’
