Dear Member
Issued by the Joint Health & Welfare
Committee on 22 February 2008.
Bluetongue
Many of you will know that the Vector
Free Period (VFP) is drawing to a close. DEFRA has announced today that
the VFP will be ending on 15 March 2008.
From 15 March 2008 no further movements
of camelids will be allowed under the VFP rules. What this means is that you
will no longer be able to move from the Protection Zone (PZ) to the
Surveillance Zone (SZ) or the Free Zone (FZ). You will not be able to move
form the SZ to the FZ either. You can, though, still move subject to the
necessary records being kept from the FZ to the SZ and the PZ as well from the
SZ to the PZ but not back again.
We are told that DEFRA, along with
Trading Standards, will be enforcing these rules.
If you want to move animals under the
VFP rules, then you will need to have the animals tested clear of Bluetongue
(BT) and have finished the move prior to 15 March.
There is likely to be a rush for
testing, so make sure you leave enough time as no extensions will be allowed.
It can take up to a week or more for the results to be received.
Members should be aware that the BT vaccine will only be available for use in the PZ. Under EU law it cannot be used on animals in the SZ or FZ. It is DEFRA's intention to roll out vaccination across the UK by extending the PZ as and when the vaccine becomes available and as the susceptible species in the PZ have all been vaccinated. They hope that by late summer the whole of England will have been vaccinated. The cost of vaccination and the vaccine will be the responsibility of the individual farmer
Members must be aware that it is imperative that all stock are vaccinated as and when it is possible so as to protect all species.
FMD
The UK has been declared by the OIE a
Foot and Mouth Disease-free country without vaccination, due to there being no
further cases of FMD for three months! Let’s hope it stays this way.
Brenda Birmingham
Secretary - British Llama Society
Lower Braundsworthy, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5TB
t: 01409 231704 e: llamarati@aol.com or Secretary@BritishLlamaSociety.com