New Forest commoners are being warned to be vigilant about the rise in Bluetongue Virus (BTV), as the control zone for the disease has entered Hampshire.

BTV is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (sheep, cattle, goats, and deer), which is transmitted by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

Clinical signs include:

1. Lameness
2. Lethargy
3. Ulcers/sores around nose and mouth
4. Fever
5. Not eating
6. Milk drop

Outbreaks occur when susceptible sheep, particularly European breeds, are introduced to endemic areas or when the virus is introduced to a region by windborne movement of infected Culicoides (midges species).  It can also be introduced through the import of an infected animal or germinal products (semen or embryos).

Infected cattle/sheep/deer/goats play a significant role in maintaining the virus in a region. Livestock may serve as a source of the virus for several weeks while displaying little or no clinical signs of disease and are often the preferred host for insect vectors.

If you spot any signs listed above, inform the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) immediately on 03000 200 301.

The control zone, which currently stretches to Southampton, can be seen here

For further information, see the official update on the Government website – Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The New Forest CDA has secured funding to allow commoners to start vaccinating cattle against BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea).

The programme is being funded by the New Forest Trust (NFT), the conservation charity which supports various projects to help preserve, sustain and enhance the Forest for future generations.

Commoners will be able to volunteer to have their Forest-run cows and replacement heifers vaccinated against BVD. This will be done on a first come, first served basis and administered when cattle are marked up for the Forest or commons.

New Forest CDA Chair Andrew Parry-Norton said: “This is an initiative we have been working on for some time so I am very pleased the funding has now been approved for it.

“Vaccinating cattle clearly has a number of benefits, with one of the most significant being that it would stop abortion and the more cattle that are vaccinated, the greater chance we have of reducing the transmission of the disease.

“Being able to offer the vaccination is also a way of helping commoners out from a financial perspective which we know is extremely important right now.

“We cannot offer this initiative to commoners without the backing of the NFT, so we are very thankful and appreciative of their support throughout the process, and look forward to continuing our partnership with them on future projects.”

William Ziegler, Chair of the NFT, added: “We are passionate about helping ensure the future of commoning so are only too pleased to support this important initiative.

“We hope the vaccination programme has its desired effect and can strengthen the health and wellbeing of livestock and the New Forest’s flora and fauna.”

Any New Forest commoners interested in having their cattle vaccinated should email Andrew Parry-Norton on parrynortonfarm@gmail.com.

A scheme to help prevent the deaths of livestock on roads in the New Forest is being extended for a fourth year.

Salt licks are plastic bowls containing lumps of rock salt for animals to consume, stabilised by fixing into a car tyre. They have been put out over the past three years as a way of encouraging livestock away from the roadside where they are at risk of being hit by traffic.

Livestock, especially ponies, can congregate by the roadside during the colder months, attracted by the gritting salt spread by lorries to prevent the roads from freezing over.

The scheme, set up by New Forest commoners Tony Vanderhoek and Bill Howells, is currently funded by the New Forest Trust and is being continued in the coming months in the hope of reducing the number of animals involved in road accidents across the Forest.

“The whole idea started when four ponies were killed at once near Brook and it was a horrific sight,” explained Tony.

“The reason why those ponies were killed was because of salt licking on the side of the road and a van ploughed into them at high speed. It was one of the worst animal accident incidents in recent times and gained much attention.

“One of the New Forest CDA members suggested [as a result] putting salt licks out, so we thought we would give it a try. The design we chose was the simplest and most effective one amongst several ideas.

“The ponies need salt in the summer because they sweat and in the winter it can be compared to having sweets. Hearing the gritter lorries gets their attention and sometimes brings them up to the roads.

“The idea was to put these salt licks out so the ponies didn’t feel the need to wait for a gritter lorry as they had a supply they could go to and have their fill. By putting them at the same place every year as we have been doing, they know where they are and go back to them, being habitual in their nature.”

A total of 17 of these salt licks have been sited along the Cadnam to Fordingbridge Road, at a safe distance away. The intention is to add more along the Dibden Purlieu to Lymington Road later this year if all goes to plan.

“Whether it has made a big difference, the jury is still out,” said Tony. “It’s quite difficult to determine that the figures show conclusively that these salt licks prevent animal accidents.

“There seems to be an improvement in the accident rate but whether it stays like that is unknown – drivers do daft things all the time.

“Having the salt licks at least shows we are trying to do something and that gets publicity and attention to safer driving, so it’s a dual purpose thing.”

The salt licks are one of several initiatives to try to reduce animal accidents as much as possible. Others include an ongoing campaign encouraging drivers to pass wide and slow (#passwideandslow on social) when near Forest livestock.

The New Forest Trust is a charity organisation that works to preserve, sustain and enhance the New Forest for future generations, and offers support to a number of different projects aligned to its values.

Chair William Ziegler said: “We are very grateful to local businesses who support us and in doing so, allow the Trust to fund various initiatives across the New Forest.

“Over the past few years, the salt lick scheme has been well received so we are very pleased to contribute to this initiative and try and help bring down the numbers of road accidents involving livestock.”

The New Forest CDA made two presentments at the Verderers’ Court session for September, alongside a presentment by the Young Commoners.

The CDA presentments were in relation to the management of verges, the growth of Ragwort and the overall state of bridges in the New Forest.

Chairman Andrew Parry-Norton and secretary Hilary Harper made the presentments at the Court on Wednesday, 18 September.

The Young Commoners’ presentment was made by Eloise Cavanna, regarding the management of geldings.

You can read the presentments in full below.

CDA Presentment verges

CDA Presentment – FE Bridges

Young Commoners Presentment – Geldings

The next Verderers’ Court takes place on Wednesday, 16 October.

Commoners are being asked for their comments and feedback surrounding a revamp of the cycle network in the New Forest.

The proposal provides what is described as ‘an ongoing long-term strategic approach to the issue of off-road cycling in the Forest, regarding network mapping, waymarking, and maintenance.’

A presentment was made by Forestry England’s New Forest deputy surveyor Craig Harrison during the Verderers’ Court session last week.

The court heard how the impact of the proposal on commoning, and protection of the designated sites of the New Forest, ‘has been central at all times’ to the plans.

The plan aims to offer better-connected routes for cyclists, as well as provide benefits to other users of the Forest including walkers and those using mobility vehicles.

Read the presentment in full: Presentment to Verderers Court

Further information

Supporting Information for proposal

Map outlining cycle routes

Any commoner wishing to provide feedback to the proposals should contact New Forest CDA chairman Andrew Parry-Norton by email parrynortonfarm@gmail.com or comms@realnewforest.org

Commoners are being urged to lend their views to help shape a future funding and management scheme for the New Forest.

An open meeting was held earlier this month to discuss the various agri-environment schemes in the New Forest and gauge opinions on future schemes.

The consultation, which is being led by New Park Consultancy, is an opportunity for commoners to contribute to the ongoing study.

A wide range of opinions are being sought to ensure the wishes and needs of commoners can be accurately represented in creating a scheme of funding and management for the New Forest.

Anyone who owns or rents property within the New Forest with rights of common attached can partake.

The deadline for completing the questionnaire, which takes around 15-20 minutes, is Monday, 30th September.

Take the questionnaire here

Chairman Andrew Parry-Norton has provided an update about some of the issues which the New Forest CDA is currently working on.

In the video message, he discusses:

• Why commoners should take part in the online consultation
• The campaign involving blood testing mares who haven’t got in foal
• Plans to vaccinate cattle against BVD
• What to expect at the CDA mid-term meeting

Watch the video below or on our Facebook page

Commoners are being reminded to register to vote so they can have their say in the upcoming Verderers election.

The election takes place later this year on Tuesday 26th November, when the terms of office of David Readhead and Graham Ferris come to an end.

Letters and forms have been sent to people whose names appeared on the previous 2021 Electoral Register and others who have expressed an interest since.

Those wishing to vote must return their completed registration and declaration form as soon as possible. If you are yet to register but would like to vote in the election, then please contact the Verderers urgently.

“It is vital as many commoners as possible are registered to vote in this election,” said New Forest CDA chairman Andrew Parry-Norton.

“If you have an acre of land with Forest Rights you are eligible to cast a vote. Please spread the word as it is a great opportunity to help shape the future of the New Forest and the decision-making within it.”

For queries or further information, please email enquiries@verderers.org.uk or call 02380 282052. Alternatively, head into the Verderers office in Lyndhurst.

Commoners are invited to attend a Hustings event ahead of the Verderers election in November.

The event will take place at the CDA mid-term meeting which starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, 14th November at Bramshaw Village Hall (SO43 7JE).

All potential verderers are invited to attend and each will be given an opportunity to present themselves and their manifesto, and outline their plans should they win the election.

They will answer questions from CDA Chair Andrew Parry-Norton who will then open up questions from commoners.

The meeting, which is open to all commoners, will also be an opportunity to hear about the latest CDA activities, share ideas and discuss issues.

A buffet with tea and coffee will be provided.

The Verderers of the New Forest election takes place on Tuesday, 26th November. There will be four polling stations in Lyndhurst, Fordingbridge, Lymington and Ringwood.