MAFF relaxes pig movement in zones

18 October 2000



MAFF relaxes pig movement in zones

By FWi staff

THE Ministry of Agriculture is to allow some movement of pigs within certain classical swine fever-infected areas in East Anglia.

The movements, to ease welfare problems, will be allowed under licence, the ministry has announced.

Within these areas the following conditions must be satisfied:

• Movement must be between premises within an infected area which has been in place for more than 30 days and had no cases of swine fever in the past 30 days.

• MAFF vets must agree the movement is necessary for animal welfare or overstocking reasons and will examine the pigs before issuing a licence.

• Pigs may be moved to another farm where there are no pigs or to premises owned by and under the control of the same farmer.

• There are also requirements for identification, security and cleaning transport.

Since the outbreak of classical swine fever began on 8 August, 15 cases have been confirmed in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and restriction zones set up.

The infected area in Essex was lifted on 22 September, after MAFF vets satisfied themselves it was completely free of the disease.

• Farmers whose premises lie in an area where two infected zones overlap should seek guidance from the swine fever control centre at Bury St Edmunds. They should call calling the helpline on 08702 414215.
• Application forms for entering the movement scheme are available on the MAFF website
• Swine fever – news update