Disease limits lifted in south-east

26 April 2001



Disease limits lifted in south-east

By FWi staff

MORE farmers in south-east England have been freed from foot-and-mouth disease restrictions as the drive to get the countryside back to normal continues.

Restrictions were lifted in parts of Essex, releasing 1087 farms, and around Canterbury in Kent, affecting a further 1467 farms, on Thursday (April 26).

Two infected areas remain in place in the area, however – an area of Essex and Kent bordering the Thames Estuary and an area round Colchester.

Over 15,000 farms have now had restrictions lifted across the country.

Junior agriculture minister Elliot Morley said there have been few or no new cases in the areas that have been freed.

Affected farmers will be able to take animals to slaughter at more abattoirs and move livestock longer distances under licence.

“It also means local authorities can consider re-opening footpaths and rights of way,” Mr Morley said.