Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle, Surrey
| This news story was last substantively updated on 23 August 2007. For later news on this story please see Defra's news story index and/or the Foot and Mouth Disease website. |
(This news story is updated regularly with any new information or developments)
Following the identification of foot and mouth disease near Guildford in Surrey on 3 August (and subsequently on a second nearby site) extensive work has been going on to contain the outbreak and to identify its cause.
Update 11:45, 23 August: Animal exports resume to EU following control of Foot and Mouth Disease
It has been agreed this morning that live animals and meat products can be exported from outside of the surveillance zone in Surrey from Saturday 25 August to the rest of the European Union with additional veterinary supervision and certification.
Alongside this resumption of exports, the GB wide movement ban on live animals will be lifted from midnight tonight (23rd) outside of the surveillance zone in Surrey. However, as a precautionary measure the following restrictions will remain in place:
- Animals will need to remain on the premises they moved to for 20 days before being moved again, the only exceptions to this will be movements within the same holding of less than 8km, and movements direct to slaughter.
- Animal markets, shows and gatherings are currently prohibited except in the case of collection centres for dispatch to slaughter. This prohibition remains in place pending further announcements.
In addition the two 3km radius protection zones in Surrey will be lifted at noon tomorrow (24th). The Chief Veterinary Officer has decided that as a precaution a 5km radius Temporary Pirbright Biosecurity Area will be put in place around the Pirbright site. The 10km radius surveillance zone will remain in place.
Update 17:50, 22 August: Confirmation of changes to movement restrictions.
Confirmation was given today that movements of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter collections and sales and any movements of all susceptible animals between premises under the same occupation in a Restricted Zone, subject to complying with specific conditions, can take place from Thursday, 23 August. There has been no adverse change to the level of risk since plans for these changes were set out on 15 August.
Update 16:00, 21 August: Movement of horses allowed 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.
Update 13:20, 20 August: Collection centres and slaughter markets.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds has today set out the plans to allow the movement of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter collections and sales from 23 August subject to no alteration to the level of risk.
She said:
“These plans form the next step in our ongoing risk-based, staged approach to movement controls. Collection centres and direct to slaughter sales will be able to commence from midnight on Wednesday, operating from Thursday 23 August providing there is no alteration to the level of risk.”
Update 20:30, 17 August: New and revised general movement licences have been issued.
- At 00:01, 18 August, a General licence (PDF) (27 KB) comes into force for the movement in a Restricted Zone of bovines for calving or which have calved (together with their calf) since 3 August for welfare purposes. Supporting documents are also available. See the information bulletin for more information.
- General licence authorising establishments in a Protection Zone or a Surveillance Zone other than a slaughterhouse to produce fresh meat, minced meat, mechanically separated meat and meat preparations from susceptible animals.
- General licence authorising establishments in a Surveillance Zone to produce meat products from susceptible animals
- General Licence for the movement of carcases for burial or disposal from premises in a Protected Zone or Surveillance Zone by Highways Agency Staff or Officers of Local Authorities (PDF) (25 KB).
- Revised General Licence for the movement of carcases from premises in a Restricted Zone (PDF) (30 KB).
- Revised General Licence for the movement of stray susceptible animals from roads in a Restricted Zone (PDF) (20 KB).
See the Foot and Mouth Disease animal movement guidance and licensing page for more information.
Update 20:00, 15 August: Based on further negative laboratory results for Foot and Mouth Disease and supporting veterinary advice, the decision has been taken to lift the two Temporary Control Zones in Kent and Surrey this evening.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds has today set out the following:
- the latest epidemiological report (PDF) (100 KB);
- changes to current restrictions on animal movement in support of welfare; and
- the standing down of vaccination teams, provided that initial negative results from the current temporary control zones in Kent and Surrey are followed by negative results from the final tests.
For farmers and other keepers of susceptible animals, the main priority remains the need for vigilance, and for excellent biosecurity. The national ban on movement of susceptible animals remains in force although a number of specific movements have been licensed, subject to strict conditions, outside the area most directly affected.
Apart from a small area in Surrey (some land, and rights of way, in the protection zones), the countryside remains open. Foot and Mouth Disease is not a public health threat, and it is not considered to have any implications for the human food chain.
Due to the specific strain of virus found, it appears very likely that the source of the infection is the Pirbright site where Merial Animal Health Ltd and the Institute of Animal Health are located.
Page last modified: 23 August 2007 11:45
Page published: 15 August 2007 17:20