Virus could return, warns Beckett

17 October 2001



Virus could return, warns Beckett

By Alistair Driver

RURAL Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned farmers to prepare for a resurgence of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mrs Beckett was responding to a question from the House of Commons Agriculture Select Committee on Wednesday (17 October).

“It will be a miracle if we get through the autumn movement period without a resurgence of the disease,” she told MPs.

Committee chairman David Curry had asked Mrs Beckett when it would be possible for farmers to say that the epidemic was over.

Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore said the government was working out the criteria for when England and Wales could be declared disease-free.

“When we have had no disease in the country for three months, will be one criterion, and when all counties are disease-free will be another,” he said.

Mr Scudamore warned that there may have to be more blood tests of livestock in some areas to demonstrate that the virus has disappeared.

Sixteen days have now passed since the last case of foot-and-mouth on 30 September. However some animals have been slaughtered as a precaution.

More than 100 counties and unitary authorities were now disease-free. Only two counties have had outbreaks in the past four weeks.