Foot-and-mouth continues to rise

12 March 2001



Foot-and-mouth continues to rise

by FWi staff

THE number of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks has risen to 164 after a record number of cases was confirmed during the weekend.

Agriculture minister Nick Brown said the disease was under control, despite 25 new cases on Sunday (11 March) — the highest in a single day,

The outbreaks included the first case of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent, south-east England on a livestock farm at Allhallows, near Rochester.

A total of 127,000 animals have been authorised for slaughter. The Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) said 90,000 of those animals had already been slaughtered.

Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore has said he had no idea how many premises will become infected or when the UK will be clear of the disease.

Conservative agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo warned that the situation was rapidly becoming a national emergency.

In order to speed up the incineration of livestock, animal carcasses are being taken for destruction to the Prosper de Mulder rendering plant in Cheshire.

MAFF officials are continuing to appeal to farmers to remain vigilant in an effort to boost early detection of the disease on farms.

They are particularly eager to hear from farmers who bought livestock outside the main auction ring at Longtown market, Carlisle, on 15 and 22 February.