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NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 268/07
Date: 21 August 2007

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960

Licence to allow the movement of horses in a protection zone

From today, horses can move into or out of a Protection Zone or move between premises within a Protection Zone under a general licence. Strict conditions on cleansing and disinfection must be adhered to if movements into or out of a Protection Zone involve premises where any animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease, for example cattle and sheep, are kept.

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer, said:

“This measure is part of Defra’s on-going risk based and staged approach to easing movement controls. It is critical therefore that owners comply strictly with the licence conditions on cleansing and disinfection.”

Movements within the Protection Zone are still subject to compliance with any other restrictions on public access to land. Horses cannot be ridden on any public rights of way, paths or areas of land that are closed.

Notes to editors

1. There are no restrictions on the movements of horses in the Surveillance Zone and Restricted Zone (i.e. everywhere outside the Protection Zone). Outside of the Protection Zone, horses can be transported, exercised and worked. There is no restriction on equestrian events outside the Protection Zone, except for hunting any drag or trail, and provided no susceptible animals are present.

2. The restrictions on horse movements within the Protection Zones are now as follows:

  • Horses can be moved into or out of a Protection Zone, as long as the conditions of the licence are met.
  • Horses can be moved from or to premises within the Protection Zone when there are susceptible animals on that premises, as long as the conditions of the licence are met.
  • Horses can be exercised on roads (there is no greater likelihood of you or your horse spreading infection by riding on the road, than a car or pedestrian). However, if horses are kept on premises where susceptible animals are kept, or will be leaving the protection zone, they may so under licence, as long as the conditions of the licence are met.
  • On premises with susceptible animals in a Protection Zone, horse boxes and trailers can only be moved from the premises as part of the movement of a horse, under licence and as long as the conditions of the licence are met.
  • Movements of horses in the Protection Zone are subject to compliance with any other relevant restrictions on public access to land. You cannot ride on any public rights of way, paths or land that are closed.

3. A copy of the general licence and conditions that must be met can be found on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm . Further advice can be obtained from the Local Animal Health Office or Local Authority.

4. The earliest timetable to disease free status was set out on 15th August and can be viewed at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/welfare-movements.htm

5. Defra public helpline (08459 33 55 77) is open Mon-Fri: 9.00am to 5.00pm. (9.00am to 5.00pm seven days a week for enquiries relating to Foot and Mouth Disease.)
(Note: the Helpline opening hours changed subsequent to the issue of this news release. For current Helpline hours please see "Contacting Defra")

6. Where farmers are facing acute welfare problems as a result of movement restrictions they can contact the RSPCA Farm Welfare Hotline 0870 7538 333

7. The latest information on the current Foot and Mouth disease can be found on the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/

End

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Page last modified: 30 August 2007 18:20
Page published: 21 August 2007 15:45

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs