UK famers face Britain's first case of Blue Tongue

Britain’s first case of Blue Tongue disease was found in a highland cow on a farm in Suffolk on Saturday, according to reports.

The virus is thought to be the same strain as found in other parts of northern Europe including Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and northern France.

Blue Tongue disease is often fatal to animals but there is no indication that it can affect humans or pets.

The news comes as a fresh blow to the UK farming industry that has faced huge economic pressure from several outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease over the past months.