Foot-and-mouth threatens exports

21 February 2001



Foot-and-mouth threatens exports

By FWi staff

A BAN on all livestock exports looks certain to be imposed after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Essex.

Twenty-seven pigs at Cheales abattoir, Brentwood, were infected with the virulent disease, government vets said late on Tuesday (21 February).

As the foot-and-mouth disease can affect pigs, cattle sheep and goats all livestock exports are now under threat.

The outbreak had major implications, Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.

This is going to have a very serious effect on livestock exports, he said.

The normal procedure is when an event like this occurs there will be a complete ban on exports of animals and animal products.

Its quite likely that we will put a ban in place regarding the export of live animals.

Mr Scudamore said an emergency meeting to discuss action would take place on Wednesday (21 February).

He said he would try to limit any ban to regions, but the problem at the moment was that it was not known where the disease originated.

The infected animals came from three farms in Buckinghamshire, Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight.

Another case of foot-and-mouth has since been detected on another farm near the abattoir.

The disease can be spread by the animals, transportation or contaminated food or equipment or by airborne routes.

The animals were kept in lairage while waiting for slaughter since arriving at the abattoir from Buckingham and the Isle of Wight last Friday (16 February).

Restriction zones are in place around the abattoir and two farms one at Great Horward, Buckinghamshire, and the other at Freshwater Bay, on the Isle of Wight.

But Mr Scudamore said it was believed that another batch of pigs showing signs of the disease had come from a farm in Yorkshire.

• Foot-and-mouth outbreak confirmed, FWi, 21 February 2001
• Pigs show Foot and Mouth symptoms, FWi, 20 February 2001