No outbreak pockets at lambing time
No outbreak pockets at lambing time
SHEEP farmers need have no worries about the risk of "pockets" of foot-and- mouth disease erupting during lambing time, says Cumbria vet Neil Frame.
Although there have been widespread concerns that ewes under stress at lambing time could spark a spring flare-up of the disease, Mr Frame said it will not happen. "It is impossible. There is no F&M in the UK," said Mr Frame, who runs a practice at Penrith in the county that saw 44% of the confirmed infected cases in the UK.
"There has been exhaustive and thorough blood testing of all flocks in infected areas and there has been no indication whatsoever that F&M is still present.
"I am aware of the rumours that have been concerning sheep producers, but I can categorically say they have nothing to fear."
Mr Frame said that restocking in areas that had been the most severely infected was now underway and the rigorous testing of sentinel sheep flocks had not shown any signs of the disease.
"There is no hidden virus lurking in the background and lambing time will present no risk. Blood testing has been comprehensive but while there is no disease present in the UK farmers must maintain strict biosecurity measures," he added. *
COST OF F&M OUTBREAK
• The Institute of Directors has estimated the total cost of the outbreak to the UK economy to be about £10bn.
• Government estimate of costs the Exchequer has picked up are:
• Compensation for
farmers £1114m
• Other costs of disease
eradication £952m
• Livestock Welfare
Disposal Scheme £400m
• Advice and marketing
for farmers £15m
• Business Recovery
Fund £55m
• Rate relief £20m
• Matched funding for
charitable donations £13m
• Tourism promotion £18m
• Rights of way re-opening £4m
• Total £2591m
Source: DEFRA February 2002.
Note: The government places the cost at £2.7bn and rising, but this includes £156m of agrimoney compensation which it claims would not have been claimed if F&M had not have happened.