FARMERS say they are resigned to the fate of bluetongue infecting their herds whether or not they are included within the new reach of the protection zone.

As reported in yesterday's Echo, Defra has now extended the zone to envelope Bournemouth, Christchurch and East Dorset.

The disease is passed on by infected midges and affects ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep and goats as well as deer.

Pigs and humans are not affected.

Ian Johnson, South West spokesman for the National Farmers' Union, said: "Farmers are pretty much resigned to bluetongue and sooner or later it will affect the whole of the country.

"This is because unlike foot and mouth, where there is an identifiable cause and you can get the culprits, with bluetongue there's no way of stopping the spread - it has a certain amount of inevitability.

"It is of course possibly the worst thing that could happen to farmers at this time, but that's pretty obvious.

"The key thing is to get a vaccine for it sorted as soon as possible, but bovine TB is still the biggest threat of all."

North Dorset dairy farmer Owen Yeatman agrees and is also resigned to the bluetongue fate, even though his Lowbrook Farm is currently outside the protection zone.

"You can get these movement zones controlling the movement of animals but it cannot stop the spread of the disease.

"We expect the whole country will be included at some point soon and I know the zone will include us.

"If you live in a large area it's not too bad, but those trying to survive in smaller ones will find the restrictions stop them reaching abattoirs.

"I also agree with Mr Johnson about bovine TB.

"This is a very unpleasant disease that has been marching across the country yet the focus has been on foot and mouth and bluetongue."

An East Dorset farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he also accepts the inevitability of the spread.

"It's a battle we just cannot win," he said.