Ban widens as disease spreads
27 February 2001
Ban widens as disease spreads
By Johann Tasker and Donald MacPhail
A BAN on exports of livestock and meat products from Britain has been extended as the UK foot-and-mouth epidemic climbs to 16 outbreaks.
The ban, which was due to expire later this week, will now be extended until Friday (9 March), said the European Union Standing Veterinary Committee.
The announcement came as new foot-and-mouth outbreaks were confirmed in Wales, Lancashire and Northamptonshire.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) said it had decided to close all its offices until further notice with immediate effect to stop the disease spreading
The disease has been confirmed at an Anglesey abattoir in an animal from Yorkshire, said the governments chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore.
Cases are also confirmed in a sheep from Darlington market, County Durham; and at Withnell, Lancashire, in an animal from Hexham market, Northumberland.
Sheep from Hexham market were taken two weeks ago to an infected farm in Devon, FARMERS WEEKLY
Lorries from the Devon farm then went to Northamptonshire, where Mr Scudamore said a suspected case of the disease had now been confirmed.
Outbreaks have now been discovered at 16 locations across nine counties. Livestock on a Kent farm listed as a “dangerous contact” will also be destroyed.
Mick Bates, Welsh Liberal Democrat agriculture spokesman, said: “This grim news is extremely disappointing for the Welsh farming industry.
“This news again emphasises how necessary the Governments restrictions are at this time. Swift and decisive action is vital to stamp out the disease.”
The government is expected to announce the closure of public footpaths in infected areas later on Tuesday (27 February).
MAFF officials said farmers and other people who would normally visit offices to deliver forms or seek advice should do so by telephone.
The National Pig Association (NPA) said that a British ban on livestock movements, which is due to expire on Friday (2 March), should also be extended.
However, some carefully controlled movement of pigs and perhaps other livestock direct to slaughter might be permissable, said the NPA website.
“In some situations [this] can be preferable to seeing stock being bottled up on farms, where disease, welfare and financial problems can flourish.”
Agriculture minister Nick Brown has pledged that he will not request the resumption of exports until it was clear that the UK is free from the disease.
Mac Johnston, of the Royal Veterinary College, said it could take up to a month from the last foot-and-mouth case for the country to be disease-free.
“The absolute minimum is 14 days, but you should double that to 28 days and even after that think about it again,” he told FARMERS WEEKLY.
“There could be reservoirs of the disease out there.”
Professor Johnston said some countries would reasonably demand that Britain was free from foot-and-mouth for six months before accepting exports.
“I dont think its excessive for them to decide on this as foot-and-mouth is a horrendous disease with terrible implications stock,” he said.