DEFRA COMMENTS TO INQUIRIES ON FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE (FMD):
BIOSECURITY
The Government's top priority is to beat the disease. To this end, tight biosecurity is essential: especially by farmers and others who work in close contact with animals and are far more likely than others to have been in contact with FMD without knowing it.
There is no room for complacency. Everyone must play their part in the fight against FMD.
Advice on biosecurity has been has provided to all those involved since the first outbreak of the disease. MAFF/DEFRA sent Factsheets to all livestock farmers in March, April and May. Advice was also provided to hauliers, and to the general public visiting the countryside.
The importance of good biosecurity was emphasised by the production of a video on biosecurity in July. This was sent to all livestock farmers and could also be seen on the DEFRA website. Areas with significant disease targeted with visits from ministers, senior vets and representatives from the Chief Scientists Group. Publicity campaign includes advertisements in farming and local press, targeting particularly areas, which may be at risk of FMD spread.
Hotspots of disease in North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland have been contained by imposing Restricted Infected Area - "blue box" restrictions - a tight clampdown on the biosecurity of premises and vehicles around a designated area together with a ban on almost all animal movements except those direct to slaughter.
Sheep shearing and dipping were identified by Veterinary Risk Assessments as activities that carried significant risks of transmitting FMD. Licensing schemes were introduced in June to minimise the risks. A recent Veterinary Risk Assessment identified sheep scanning as a risk and that is also now a licensed activity.
