In a letter dated Tuesday, August 11 Mr Roome said the number of cases had "escalated rapidly" in the South West, with more than two hundred farms across Devon and Cornwall reporting cases. "Spurred on by hot weather and the spread of midges, the number of Bluetongue cases has escalated rapidly in the South West. "As of yesterday, there are more than two hundred farms across Devon and Cornwall reporting Bluetongue cases." He said: "Farmers in North Devon have spoken to me first hand about the traumatic effect this crisis is having. The latest government Bluetongue guidance is available from GOV.UK's Bluetongue latest situation guidance.