DEFRA has
announced that the national ban on animal movements will be lifted
at midnight Thursday (23 August), following a decision by
EU vets
to allow exports of live animals, meat and dairy products to
resume from Saturday (25 August).
The decisions have come as a complete surprise, but have been
welcomed by the whole industry.
"This is fantatsic news," said
NFU president Peter
Kendall". It shows Brussels is happy with what has been done during
the FMD outbreak and is clearly satisfied with the work the farming
industry has done with DEFRA in ensuring the disease was contained
within a small area."
EU vets were widely expected to give the go ahead for meat and
dairy products to be exported from outside the 10km surveillance
zone at their meeting on Thursday (23 August). But the decision to
allow live exports too was more than anyone hoped for.
It has also prompted a rapid change of policy at DEFRA, which
was not expecting to lift movement restrictions until 9
September.
"Alongside this resumption of exports, the GB-wide movement ban
on live animals will be lifted from midnight tonight (23 August)
outside of the surveillance zone in Surrey," said a statement.
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
in England (not Scotland and Wales) 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 (24 August). As a precaution, a 5km
Temporary Pirbright Biosecurity Area will be put in place around
the Pirbright site.
The 10km radius surveillance zone will remain in place.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds said: "The temporary
area is a precautionary measure where we will be working with
animal keepers and vets to ensure enhanced vigilance is maintained
as we await the conclusions of the HSE investigation and the
findings of the independent review led by Professor Brian
Spratt.”
These are both due next week.
For more on foot and mouth,
see our special report