Foot and mouth disease outbreak: 17 September 2007
Monday 17 September 2007
The situation as at midday on 17 September 2007.
- The movement ban was lifted outside the Surveillance Zone in England with a general movement licence for direct to slaughter from 00:01, 16 September 2007. Licences are also available for collection centres and dedicated red meat slaughter markets.
- The movement ban was lifted in Scotland with a general movement licence for direct to slaughter from 00:01, 13 September 2007, and as of 00:01, 14 September a general direct to slaughter movement licence was issued in Wales.
- A total of 242 slaughterhouses have now been approved within England and Wales and 24 within Scotland. Details have been posted on the DEFRA website.
- On 15 September a decision was taken by DEFRA to slaughter on suspicion pigs on a farm in close proximity to the two infected premises in Surrey. This was a precautionary measure and follows inconclusive veterinary inspection of clinical signs. There is currently no timetable for when the results will be available.
- MHS staff have been reminded that they need to adhere strictly to the bio-security controls and will continue to ensure that the extra cleansing and disinfection checks take place on a targeted and risk-based approach.
- Any animals in lairages over the weekend underwent an additional OV ante-mortem inspection every 24 hours.
- There are general licences to move animal by-products in GB.
- Export certificates are now being issued again for eligible meat slaughtered prior to 15 July 2007, re-exported product, and certain treated products. Details are available on the DEFRA website.
It is important to note that even though restrictions on animal movements are being eased, everybody involved in the industry must remain focused on maintaining high levels of biosecurity. Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: 'We continue to take a risk-based, staged approach to movement controls. It is essential that all animal keepers, hauliers, abattoirs and those responsible for collection centres follow stringent biosecurity measures and all licence conditions. We need everyone to maintain vigilance in monitoring livestock for any signs of this dreadful disease.'
A map of the protection zones (PZ) and surveillance zone (SZ), together with all the latest general news on foot and mouth disease can be found on the DEFRA website. See the link below.
This should be your first port of call for situation updates.
Food business operators should contact their MHS area manager to discuss any general queries, or for advice on local circumstances.