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INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 375/07
Date: 19 October 2007

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Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960

FMD update: reducing the restricted zone

Defra confirmed today that the Foot and Mouth Disease Restricted Zone (formerly the Risk Area) will be reduced from 00.01hrs on Sunday 21st October, subject to there being no change in the disease situation.

This change is being made in the light of  ongoing results of the extensive surveillance work, veterinary risk assessment and no further cases of FMD being discovered. 

The new Restricted Zone contains the existing Surveillance Zone and an area where extra surveillance is being undertaken.  As a further precautionary measure the Restricted Zone boundary has been drawn 10km around these areas of surveillance activity. The Veterinary Risk Assessment on which this decision is based has been published on the Defra website.

The FMD Surveillance Zone remains in place. Strict movement restrictions continue to apply in both the new Restricted Zone and the existing Surveillance Zone. The  risk of disease outside the FMD Restricted Zone is very low but cannot be completely excluded. The Surveillance Zone is not expected to be lifted before  5 November.

Enhanced  biosecurity measures need to be strictly adhered to by animal keepers within the zones and vigilance is essential.

Bluetongue movement controls on ruminants remain firmly in place.

Further information

Further information, including a map of the Surveillance Zone and the new FMD Restricted Zone  and the restrictions that apply, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth

Further information is available via the Defra Helpline on 08459 335577 (open 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday). Farmers can also call the Animal Health 24 hour recorded information line (0844 884 4600) for up-to-date information on the latest developments

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Page published: 19 October 2007 12:40

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs