GM Crop Farm-Scale Evaluations:
Research Contractors
Hygiene Protocol for Field Visits - short protocol
Read the full protocol for a description of the diseases, foot and mouth, and rhizomania.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE PRECAUTIONS
Before arranging visits to farms
Staff may NOT visit - farms known to have cases of Foot and Mouth Disease
(FMD).
Staff may visit farms - in non-infected areas and farms where FMD has not been reported but which are within the restricted areas of the UK.
Before the first site visit is made, local site co-ordinators will
1. seek written permission from the farmer (letter/ fax) for staff to
monitor their field.
Before each site visit, the local site co-ordinator will
1. check with the MAFF web site and/ or the local MAFF vet office that
it is safe to visit.
2. check with the farmer verbally that scientists still have permission
to visit fields.
3. undertake a risk assessment for each site and after each visit keep
records of sites visited, when, and by whom (See Appendix 1 in full protocol
for recording sheet).
4. minimise number visiting sites.
5. restrict scientists to certain geographical areas.
Behaviour on farms
Once on farms the scientists must ensure that they:
1. work only on arable fields in the FSE study.
2. avoid all direct contact with livestock.
3. park vehicles on public highways or major farm tracks, NOT in farmyards.
4. disinfect their footwear and vehicles on arrival at and departure from
sites.
5. act in accordance with any development in MAFF guidance (see MAFF
website)
Cleaning and disinfecting after visits
On arrival at the farm scientists should stop and spray the vehicle tyres
with disinfectant.
Scientists should proceed to the field site and begin work. Scientists should arrive with clean footware which can be dipped before entering the field. Work as normal in the field but do not approach livestock nearby or walk outside the study field, apart from to and from the vehicle. On leaving the field footware and equipment should be scrubbed clean before dipping in disinfectant. Dispose of disinfectant appropriately according to the label. On leaving the farm spray the tyres and underneath the vehicle with disinfectant.
RHIZOMANIA PRECAUTIONS
For rhizomania precautions vehicles footware and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected, using approved products, before visiting farms. The extra precautions for FMD such as checking with MAFF, undertaking a risk assessment and recording all visits are not necessary for rhizomania precautions.
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Page published 5 April
2001;
Page last modified
10 August, 2002