FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: GENERAL LICENCE.
The ban on the movement of all cattle and sheep is still in place with the exemptions under a general licence already in place for dairy cattle moving to be milked and movements direct to slaughter (see last briefing). However, in light of the negative test results in the two recent additional suspect cases in Kent and Surrey, DEFRA have announced today a further relaxation on welfare grounds as well as dates for future relaxations as long as the disease status does not change before then.
Welfare movements: susceptible stock may now be moved up to 3 kilometres* (1.8 miles) under the General Licence between land in the same occupancy including along public roads. Moves must be subject to bio-security (cleaning of roads, vehicles used etc.). The Animal Health Office stresses that this is for welfare and not management reasons. Farmers are advised, if in any doubt, to discuss potential moves under this exemption with their local vet before moving animals. There is also an exemption under the General Licence to enable pigs to be moved from breeder to grower units and grower to finishing units.
Animal movements: subject to no further change in the disease situation, DEFRA are putting plans in place to permit from the 23rd August 2007 the movement of susceptible livestock up to 3 kilometres* (1.8 miles) under the General Licence between land in the same occupancy including along public roads.
Collection centres: subject to no further change in the disease situation, DEFRA are planning to allow the operation of collection centres for direct movement to slaughter from the 23rd August 2007.
Future changes: DEFRA’s stakeholder group are meeting on the 24th August 2007, after the meeting on the previous day of the EU Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health, to review further unwinding of restrictions and in particular a lifting of the export ban. It now seems that the earliest possible date for the resumption of normal trading (export, store sales, shows etc.) in the Restriction Zone (all of England except the Protection and Surveillance Zones around the infected farms) could be the 8th September 2007.

*Please note that DEFRA measure 3 kilometres ‘as the crow flies’.

Please ring UTASS 01833 641010 for further advice or assistance.

Richard Betton


Price: Briefing Free     Listing # 16.08.07