Top banner

Foot and Mouth Disease

10/08/2007

CowsOn Friday 3rd August, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was confirmed on a beef farm near Guildford, in Surrey. Protection, Surveillance, and Restricted Zones, were set up following the confirmation of the Foot and Mouth Disease. Footpaths and bridleways on the infected premises are closed and the Chief Veterinary Officer has taken a decision to close the footpaths and bridleways in the Protection Zone. Initially a total ban on movement of animals was enforced, however since then a decision has been made to permit the movement of live animals direct to slaughter houses.

The following guidelines have been released for farmers who suspect their livestock to be infected and the resulting procedures to follow.

  • First contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office. To find your local office call Defra on: 08459 33557.
  • Stop people or any vehicles entering your farm and do not move any stock off your premises.
  • Collect together movement or other records which will help the investigation.

If the disease is suspected by the Veterinary Inspector, an inspection of animals and questions about the general condition and movement of the animals will be asked, tissue samples and blood tests will also be conducted.

What happens if the Foot and Mouth disease is confirmed?

  • The Veterinary Inspector will issue a Restriction Notice confirming the disease and the restrictions on the premises will remain in force.
  • All susceptible animals will be humanely culled.
  • Animals will be valued by a Defra appointed valuer.
  • Carcasses will be disposed either by rendering or incineration.
  • Disinfectant spray will be applied to all infected areas.

Further investigations as to where the disease came from will be undertaken by the Veterinary Inspector.

Further information can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth

Related ViewsThe future is bright, the future is farming2008-02-28When the Common Agricultural Policy was developed back in the 1960s, it was introduced to increase domestic food supply to ensure both food security and reduce the reliance on imports to ensure post war...The future face of farming2008-01-21 | James Goodson Dip AG MIAgrM MBIACYounger siblings following their families into farming is becoming a thing of the past. The average age of UK farmers is now approaching 60 years old and this undoubtedly will impact the future of the...Good for corn, worrying for horn.2007-12-07 | James Goodson Dip AG MIAgrM MBIACWell it has finally happened. Certain London fund managers were predicting it and farmers were hoping it would happen. Agricultural commodities have been on a world class roller coaster this year, that’s...August Property Market Update2007-08-02 | Andrew Ranson MRICS FAAVAndrew Ranson, Partner in Fisher German's Banbury office gives his views on the property market to date. Residential Despite the confusion over HIPS the market has been quite busy. The volume of sales...May Property Market Update2007-05-10 | James Pegrum BSc (Hons) MRICSJames Pegrum takes a look at what is driving the rural property market..
Related NewsEarlier deadlines for 2008 single payment forms2008-02-25Surge in farmland sales continues2008-02-21EMDA announces £60 million for rural businesses in the East Midlands2008-02-07Billions to boost rural development programme2007-12-12DEFRA improves Whole Farm Approach database2007-11-20


Go to News & Views

Offices:

 

Property search

Linesearch

RICS