Union welcomes virus guidelines

4 April 2001



Union welcomes virus guidelines

By FWi staff

FARMERS representatives have welcomed Government guidelines on arable operations in foot-and-mouth infected areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture said operations can proceed largely as normal on uninfected farms, even if the unit falls within a foot-and-mouth infected area.

National Farmers Union chief arable advisor Paul Ibbott said: “They are a positive step forward and provide some guidance for growers.”

Basic precautions must be taken by all growers, whether or not they have livestock on the farm, use manure, or are in an infected area.

Guidelines suggest minimising farm visitors, only allowing visits by prior appointment and keeping a diary of visits on the farm.

Beyond that, arable-only farms outside infected areas can operate as normal, provided they do not use manure.

No additional restrictions or special cleaning requirements apply, the guidelines state.

Farms using manure from susceptible livestock, or having such livestock, must also ensure that all people and machinery clean and disinfect.

For disinfecting to be effective, cleaning must include removing mud, dust, caked dry deposits, greasy layers and any vegetation caught on the machine.

If an all-arable farm falls in an infected area, the same restrictions apply. However, arable operations can continue within those guidelines.

Only if a farm itself is infected, or subject to a Form A or Form D, are arable operations restricted.

Some field operations may be possible, but only at the discretion of the divisional veterinary manager.

The guidelines are available on the MAFF website.