Jerry Sanders-Carr, who runs Exe Valley Lamb, near Exeter, said he had lost 15% of his sheep to the virus.
“Talking to some of the guys who’ve been going out picking up large numbers of dead animals every morning, some of these guys I’m sure there’s going to be a lasting impact on them,” he said.
Mark Walter, who farms in Milton Damerel in north Devon, feared 40% of his lambs could be born stillborn or with disabilities because of bluetongue.
He added: “All we were doing is jabbing sheep day and night. The poor sheep, it was horrendous for them.”
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