foot and mouth

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:39 am

My hear goes out to those farmers who have lost their stock, if it does transpire that it has escaped from Pirbright, it will appear even worse, in that there has to be an inexcusable lack of bio security

Rob & Alison Kirk · Post by **Rob & Alison Kirk** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:37 am

For your information:

Have just spoken to Animal Health Office in Leicestershire, who I found extremely helpful (we're on the Glos/Warks borders) re possibility of moving Dexter steer direct to abattoir for slaughter on Tuesday under licence.

Currently this is under discussion - Animal Health are taking farmers' contact numbers & will advise as soon as they have confirmation re movements to slaughter only under licence.

I rang the DEFRA help line initially - quick response & again extremely helpful.

Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:14 pm

Press release from Defra posted below

Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Telephone 020 7238 1134
Fax 020 7238 5529
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Out of hours fax 020 7270 8125
Website www.defra.gov.uk
News Release News Release ref : 070803F/07Date:5 August 2007 ADDITIONAL FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE TEST RESULTS IN SURREY The culling of the cattle on the infected enterprise in Surrey was completed yesterday. This included the 38 cattle known to be infected, and the cattle on the 2 additional sites, which together make up this same farming enterprise. The cattle on these two sites, both within the Surveillance Zone, showed no clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) but were culled in line with normal procedure and tested. Results today have revealed that of the additional animals slaughtered one of them tested positive for FMD. In line with normal procedures, Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer has instructed that an additional 3km radius Protection Zone and wider 10km radius Surveillance Zone be placed around the second part of the farm. In addition, as a precaution because of potentially dangerous contacts, susceptible animals on one farm located next door to the field are being culled. All procedures are being applied in line with the agreed contingency plan and intensive work is continuing to be done around the infected area to eradicate the disease. We are grateful for the cooperation of the local community. Notes to editors 1. The Defra public helpline is currently operating from 6am-10pm. The public should call: 08459 335577. 2. Advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is that Foot and Mouth Disease is not a direct public health threat. The Food Standards Agency considers that foot and mouth disease has no implications for the human food chain. 3. FMD is a disease of cattle and very few human cases have ever been recorded even though the disease is endemic in animals in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Foot and mouth disease only crosses the species
barrier from cattle to human with very great difficulty. The last human case reported in Britain occurred in 1966. The disease in humans, in the very rare cases that have occurred, is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment. 4. The exact details on the measures that apply in Protection and Surveillance Zones can be found on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/about/index.htm Press enquiries 020 7238 6001 / 6027 / 6092 / 5337; 6001; Out of hours 020 7270 8960; Public enquiries 08459 335577; Press notices are available on our website: www.defra.gov.ukDefra’s aim is sustainable development To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/ Once on the GNN website see Sign up

John C · Post by **John C** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:15 am

Lets pray that everyday that goes by is a case of no news being good news.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:51 am

Have been busy haymaking for a couple of days and have been unable to find time to post.
Once again DEFRA under the spotlight and once again found to be failing. Farmers within the protection zone are having to break the law by closing footpaths as DEFRA don't seem to want to upset the public and stop them from looking at all the stock that will be culled because of this crass decision. How can you be expected to to be bio secure when there are no restrictions on movements of Joe public?

Martin.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:46 am

The press are now speculating that the virus may have been bought out from the facility at Pirbright by accident or design! However it was released it is simply appalling that biosecurity measures and security could be breached in any manner or form. I hope the company responsible has sufficient insurance in place and all stock keepers affected (including all of us) register claims once blame has been established. Any extra costs you incur should be taken note of just in case we have the oportunity to recover these costs. The persons/company that has caused this disaster should not be able to get away with it lightly, and if blame can be established we will all have a case for compensation.

Martin.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:43 am

I am very much afraid this is going to be a situation like that when any other crime is committed, two people are in the frame, they blame each other and both get away with it. British Justice, I don't think so.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:54 am

I thought they had closed the walking tracks soon after the F&M announcement was made?

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:58 pm

Footpaths where only closed yesterday (Tuesday).

Martin.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:30 pm

I have a footpath going through all my stock fields. I am keeping everyone off the farm I can, making those that enter disinfect their vehicles and feet, tight bio-security was advised. But walkers can go from field to field patting the cows, and then on to the next farm and the next! In fact our leaders have gone out of their way to almost encourgae people to continue. I don't get it.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:45 am

Your leaders are morons then. How do they think the desease spreads? By magic? ???

What is the point of disinfecting trucks, Defra investigators and visitors and also halting stock transportation, if they're going to let holiday trampers use the walking tracks through farmland. It doesn't make sense.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:09 am

Inger wrote:Your leaders are morons then. How do they think the desease spreads? By magic? ???

Well said Inger. Not only does it have the obvious impact it also makes it more difficult to pursuade people take the matter seriously. I had to work quite hard on our liveries to get them to take it seriously, including one who's a health inspector! They had seen our leaders say that the coutnryside is open for business and you can walk over farms, so obviously it's not a real threat!!!

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:16 am

I am almost glad I haven't taken delivery of my cows yet.

The threat of FMD just goes around and round in my head as I read about different owners and their personal concerns for their own stock.

We as farmers spend our lives attempting to control our farm environment and keep everything right in our world, if its going out in thunderstorms to clear drains, making silage until 3 in the morning because of the weather forecast, keeping the weeds down, mending fences or vaccinating our stock.

It is SO unfair that this type of disease seems to pick farms totally at random perhaps it seems to me, regardless of top quality husbandry.

The poor farmer is trying his heart out to keep bio security tight and watch his cows night and day not even sure if it will actually make any difference in the end, there is a feeling of helplessness in the air and its NOT very nice.

Stephanie