Foot and mouth disease outbreak: 13 September 2007

Thursday 13 September 2007

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed at a farm in Surrey on 12 September. A number of control measures have been implemented as a result. In particular these control measures have halted the movement of ruminant animals and pigs in mainland Great Britain.

The situation on 13 September 2007 is that:

• A protection zone (PZ) has been put in place extending 3 kilometres in radius from each parcel of affected land. A surveillance zone (SZ), 10 kilometres in radius has been established beyond the PZ. A map of the PZ and SZ can be found on the DEFRA website (see link below). A Restricted Zone (RZ) has also been established, which currently encompasses mainland Great Britain.
• There is a complete ban on the movement of ruminant animals and pigs on mainland Great Britain without licence. Movement to slaughter under licence is currently allowed in Scotland, but not yet in England and Wales.
• Guidance on the movement of animal by-products from ruminants and pigs can be found on the DEFRA website.
• The extra controls introduced as a result of the 3 August outbreak are to be re-instated as previous emergency instructions, e.g:
  • Additional ante and post-mortem checks (including 100 per cent post-mortem inspection of feet and mouths of susceptible animals)
  • Checks on additional cleaning and disinfection (C&D) in the lairage
  • Additional C&D supervision of vehicles
• Plants previously approved / licensed to operate under the FMD Order may continue to work under the same approval, in compliance with all the requirements.
• Plants without approval / licence / listing will need to apply by following the instructions available in Manual of Official Controls Chapter 6, Section 10 (Emergency Instructions).
• All ruminant animals or pigs that are currently present in slaughterhouse lairages should be processed as normal.
• Any ruminant animals or pigs arriving at a slaughterhouse after the imposition of the movement ban in Scotland (or without licence) should be processed as normal. However, local authority trading standards should be advised of this potential illegal movement.
• Movement of poultry and other animals is still permitted. Slaughterhouses processing such species (e.g. horses) can operate as normal.
• MHS duties in operating cutting establishments (for example audits) will continue as normal
• This outbreak is subject to the controls detailed in the foot and mouth orders of 2006, which differ to the controls that were in place in 2001.

We are currently awaiting confirmation and decisions on a number of issues from DEFRA and the European Commission. The DEFRA website has details of all the latest general news on FMD.

Food business operators should contact their MHS area manager to discuss any areas of concern and for advice on local circumstances.

MHS staff have been briefed and we will ensure that we are ready and able to provide the specific service needed under FMD legislation to be able to restart meat production once the livestock movement ban has been lifted.