FARMERS, vets and associated industry experts are calling on the Government to find interim funding to enable a successful Healthy Livestock project to continue.

Richard Soffe, head of the Rural Business School at Cornwall-based Duchy College, said: “Having reached 2,308 dairy farmers, 3,361 beef producers and 2,901 sheep farmers across the south-west over the past three years, the Healthy Livestock project is now at risk of losing momentum.”

With the next tranche of CAP funding delayed until 2015 and the current round already expired, the project faces a one-year budget gap, which threatens to undermine its considerable levels of success.

Mr Soffe said: “More than 90 per cent of farmers want the project to continue. This isn’t about asking for handouts, it’s about making our nation’s livestock healthier and more productive without CAP support.”

Dick Sibley, director of West Ridge Veterinary Practice in Tiverton, Devon, said: “Although the project has only been open to farmers in the south-west, the template could be used as part of a national scheme, with many vets calling for it to be rolled out. We are dealing with diseases of a long-term nature.”