Livestock movements to be banned
23 February 2001
Livestock movements to be banned
By FWi staff
THE Ministry of Agriculture is set to suspend all livestock movements in a bid to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, claims an industry source.
The source, who has been in discussions with MAFF, told FWi that a week-long ban on all movements will be announced on Friday (23 February).
The ban would bring the industry to a halt and cover UK livestock auction markets, abattoirs and processors and stock movements between farms.
A MAFF spokesman said he was unaware that any announcement was going to be made on the issue.
The Livestock Auctioneers Association told BBC Online a week-long closure of all its markets and abattoirs would start on Saturday.
Chairman Peter Kingwill said the decision was a consequence of an expected ban on the movement of all livestock.
Meanwhile, talks on the outbreak between Agriculture Minister Nick Brown and Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore are over-running.
Journalists were asked to gather at MAFFs Nobel House headquarters in central London at noon for a briefing.
But sandwiches were brought in for Mr Brown and Mr Scudamore at 1.45pm, indicating that their discussions could continue for some time yet.
This has increased speculation among the waiting press that there will be a significant announcement in due course.
Sticking points are believed to include what should be done with meat in storage and questions over imports.
Since foot-and-mouth was discovered at an abattoir in Brentwood in Essex on Wednesday, five outbreaks have been discovered.
It is suspected that the most recent confirmed case at a pig farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall, Tyne and Wear, is the source of the outbreak.
It is believed that all stock on a holding separated from the infected farm by a single-track road will also have to be destroyed.
There is also concern that recently a contractor sprayed manure or slurry on the infected farm before going on to work at an unknown number of farms.
To compound problems in the area, disinfectant stocks have run out in nearby Hexham, Northumberland.
Farmers have been forced to travel further afield for suppliers, increasing the risk that the infection could spread.