FMD movement ban relaxed
The government has decided to permit the movement of live animals direct to slaughter, and the collection of dead animals from farms from 00.01 hours on Thursday 9 August. These general licences will only apply outside the Protection and Surveillance Zones
In the view of the Chief Veterinary Officer, the emerging conclusions of epidemiological investigations, and the on-going surveillance and testing indicate that there is a low, but not negligible, risk of the spread of FMD from the Protection and Surveillance Zones to the rest of the country.
Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: "My assessment is that these licensed moves outside of the Protection and Surveillance Zones present a low risk provided the conditions are strictly followed. I continue to urge all farmers to take the highest level of biosecurity measures and to follow the conditions of these licences in every respect.
"I have today ordered culling on suspicion of Foot and Mouth Disease on one farm adjacent to the second infected premises in the Protection Zone confirmed yesterday. Test results this morning have revealed that the strain of the virus found on the second infected premises is 01 BFS67-like strain. This is the same as the strain identified on the first farm on 4th August.This is a developing situation, and our surveillance activity is on-going."
Movements and collections will only be permitted to take place in accordance with strict licensing conditions, including biosecurity measures on-farm, in transport, and at abattoirs. Only those abattoirs that meet the specific conditions requiring stringent biosecurity, and which have appropriate Meat Hygiene Service inspection and supervision, will be permitted to accept livestock for slaughter.
