Animals set for slaughter after FMD ruling

Updated 09.28 Sun Sep 16 2007

Keywords: disease, livestock, cattle, FMD, foot-and-mouth

Farmers can now take livestock outside the foot-and-mouth surveillance zone to slaughter following an easing of movement rules.

Similar rules in Scotland and Wales have already been eased.

It means cattle, sheep and pigs can be moved directly from farms to listed abattoirs, or from farms to abattoirs by an approved collection centre or slaughter market

Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said on Saturday: "From midnight tonight, movement of animals to slaughter will be allowed in England under strict biosecurity rules and general licence."

It means cattle, sheep and pigs can be moved directly from farms to listed abattoirs, or from farms to abattoirs by an approved collection centre or slaughter market.

Dr 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."

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said that pigs on a farm close to the two premises infected with foot-and-mouth in Surrey must be culled.

The newest farm is within the 1.8-mile (3km) existing protection zone around the infected premises, which was set up after the recent outbreak.

The EU's food and veterinary office will be arriving in London tomorrow to evaluate the measures taken in response to the recent outbreaks.

Farming leaders have met Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the situation, amid concerns the industry is losing almost £10 million a day under the restrictions imposed to control the disease.

Three dedicated patrols of police and trading standards officials are monitoring the area currently affected, around Egham.

It follows a number of reported biosecurity breaches by members of the public, said Surrey Trading Standards boss Peter Denard.