Information issued by BAS/BLS Health & Welfare on 24 September 2007
Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease: an
integrated strategy
Defra has released details of “an integrated, risk
based approach" to deal with the
current situation with respect
to both Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease. The
country is to be divided into zones which enables limited reintroduction of animal
movements, under strict bio-security and licence, to begin at 3.30pm on Tuesday
25th September.
Foot
& Mouth
- There have been six Infected Premises in the so far in the Surrey area, and
there is a Temporary Control Zone on the Hampshire/West Sussex border.
Defra has also today published the latest FMD Epidemiology report which
indicates that they have worked out the sequence and mechanism of infection
between all the existing sites. There were limited animal movements out of
the Surrey area during the ‘window’ between outbreaks which has reduced the
risk of wider spread.
Intensive surveillance is already underway on a
precautionary basis in the wider Egham and Surrey areas. Further surveillance
by cattle blood testing will take place. In addition, the report
concludes that the future course of the outbreak is dependent on the surveillance for
infection and disease by both animal keepers and Animal Health patrols. Livestock
owners should check their animals twice daily and report any suspicions of
disease immediately.
As from 3.30pm on Tuesday 25th
September the country will be divided into Risk and Low Risk Areas
FMD Risk Area: consisting of Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex,
Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and
Greater London.
Existing FMD controls continue to apply in
this area. Movement to slaughter or to a vet under licence
only. NOT OTHER ANIMAL MOVEMENT ALLOWED – THIS INCLUDES CAMELIDS
Low Risk Area: The rest of England, Wales and Scotland.
In England, farm to farm movements within
the Low Risk areas will be allowed from 3.30pm Tuesday 25 September, under
stringent conditions and subject to high levels of bio-security with
enforcement by Local Authorities.
Existing FMD movements continue to apply.
In addition, farm to farm movements will be permitted under strict conditions
and subject to high levels of bio-security.
Defra has also identified,
from 3.30pm Tuesday 25 September, a Bluetongue Temporary Area
while surveillance is carried out to
determine whether the virus is circulating.
This area encompasses Lincolnshire,
Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk,
Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, and covers those additional areas which
could be included in any further movement controls should an outbreak of
Bluetongue be confirmed.
The same movements as in the FMD Risk Zone
will apply, but in addition, farm to farm movements will be permitted under
strict conditions and subject to high levels of biosecurity. Cattle, sheep and
camelids will not be permitted to move out of the Bluetongue Temporary Area.
Debby Reynolds, Chief
Veterinary Officer, said:
”All these areas will be kept under active
review. We recognize the real economic and
welfare pressures being experienced by farmers. The risk of animal movements is
evaluated on a daily basis and we have a clear commitment to allow movements,
as soon as the situation allows.”
Further details on the areas and the
movement licenses can be found on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm.
Brenda Birmingham, Secretary - British Llama Society
Lower Braundsworthy, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5TB
t: 01409 231704 e: llamarati@aol.com or Secretary@BritishLlamaSociety.com
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