Your Cornwall county NFU update

Several cases of bluetongue (BTV) have been reported recently in Cornwall. Be vigilant for signs of BTV and report it if you suspect it (remember it is a notifiable disease).

The increase in cases appears to be linked to the extreme heat that we've had recently.

To report a suspected case, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

Signs and symptoms

Bluetongue affects sheep, cattle and other ruminants. It is a viral disease spread by biting midges, which affects all ruminants (e.g. sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (such as llama and alpaca).

Symptoms vary across ruminants, but include fever, lesions, redness of the mouth, eyes, nose, reddening of the skin above the hoof, excessive salivation and nasal discharge. However, animals may show little or no clinical signs.

Bluetongue symptoms (gov.uk)

Help and support

Should you require further support or advice on BTV, please contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.

If you are in need of help or support in the aftermath of an outbreak, there are a number of farming organisations that can help.

If you are struggling or know someone who is, know that you are not alone. Our health and safety team have put together a list of available organisations that can support you.

You can find the latest information about outbreaks, and guidance about what to do, on the NFU website.

Useful links

Bluetongue help and information (NFUonline)

How to spot and report the disease (gov.uk)   

Latest situation for livestock keepers (gov.uk)

Help and support in the South region (NFUonline)

Following a spate of reported livestock thefts across Cornwall and Devon, police are appealing to our farming communities to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. Theft of livestock can have a significant financial and emotional impact on farming families and rural businesses and investigations into recent livestock thefts remain ongoing. If you have any information, dashcam footage, CCTV, or have noticed suspicious activity involving livestock, trailers or vehicles in rural areas, please contact Devon & Cornwall Police on 101 or via the force website.

Amongst those reported are the theft of 64 ewes and lambs from land between St Columb and Indian Queens in Cornwall, and 81 lambs presumed stolen from a farm in Kenn near Exeter. 

Devon & Cornwall Police recommend some practical measures that can help strengthen security and assist in identifying and recovering stolen animals, such as;

• Ensuring all sheep are correctly EID tagged and records are up to date
• Using additional visible identification, such as unique spray markings or flock-specific management tags
• Photographing valuable breeding stock and keeping records of any distinctive features
• Regularly checking and maintaining fences, gates and boundary security
• Using robust locks, security chains and anti-lift hinges where appropriate
• Restricting vehicle access to fields, particularly those located close to public roads
• Monitoring livestock regularly and varying visit times where possible
• Keeping accurate flock counts and promptly reporting any discrepancies
• Securing handling equipment, raceways, loading ramps and holding pens when not in use
• Fitting trailers with wheel clamps, hitch locks or tracking devices and parking them in secure locations
• Exercising caution when sharing information online about livestock locations, movements or periods when premises may be unattended

As beavers begin to return to parts of England, new guidance has been published setting out what this could mean for farm businesses and importantly, what support is available to help manage impacts on the ground.

This short briefing is worth a read for any member with rivers, watercourses or wet ground, as it:

• Sets out practical management approaches where beavers are present
• Highlights funding available through ELMS to reduce risk and support coexistence
• Explains how farmers’ interests can be protected as future releases are considered

While beavers can bring benefits such as natural flood management and improved water retention, they can also create challenges for farm businesses.

Key ELMS options to be aware of

The briefing highlights several existing options that can help farmers manage beaver activity:

SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)

• BFS6: 6–12m watercourse buffer strip (£742/ha)
  Helps reduce impacts by creating space between beavers and productive land
• Grass buffer strips (CIGL3, CAHL4, BFS1)
  4–24m strips to protect arable and grassland from edge impacts

Capital items

• BC3: Crop protection fencing (£6.34/m)
• BC4: Tree guards (£74.74/unit)
• BC5: Expert dam management (up to 90% funded)
  Supports protection of key assets and managing problem activity

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)

• CSW12: “Make room for the river” (£1,489/ha)
  Longer term option allowing natural river movement and reducing conflict
• CSW22: Connect river and floodplain habitats (£1,242/ha)
  Helps create resilient wetland systems alongside farming
• CSW25: Manage riparian habitats (£1,186/ha)
  Flexible option for improving water edge management

Additional support

• CSP9: Threatened species supplement (for additional support where needed)

It’s clear that making space for water and wildlife will increasingly be part of future land management, but this must be backed by:

• Accessible and practical schemes
• Adequate funding
• Clear support for farmers where impacts occur

We would encourage members to review the briefing and consider how these options could apply to their own holdings. We also understand some of these schemes are not open at the moment and uncertainty around them, so please reach out to us or your local CSF officer if you want more information

It has recently been confirmed that Natural England has granted a full licence for a wild beaver release in Cornwall, and further information about the project is provided below.

Over the past two years, Cornwall Wildlife Trust has carried out feasibility work to assess whether a licensed wild release would be appropriate for the county. Following this, a formal release licence was submitted to Natural England. In January 2026, the application was approved, and Cornwall’s first fully licensed wild beaver release has taken place in February 2026.

This marks the first time beavers have been legally released into a river system in the county, outside of an enclosed release area. The 10‑year project allows Cornwall Wildlife Trust to release up to 15 pairs of beavers into the Par and Fowey catchments.

A dedicated Beaver Project Officer is in place to support landowners with understanding beaver behaviour, managing impacts, and developing practical coexistence approaches tailored to local farming systems.

Anyone wanting to learn more about living alongside beavers or discuss support options can contact Lauren Jasper, Beaver Officer, at [email protected].

The Environment Agency has released a video for farmers and contractors on slurry store construction and SSAFO regulations. It explains slurry and silage storage management, the benefits of getting it right, and how to stay compliant. 

For more information: 

Farming Rules for Water: Guidance on Farming Rules for Water – NFUonline

SSAFO Regulations: Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil storage – what you need to know – NFUonline