FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN SURREY - 2 AUGUST 2007
LATEST NEWS: The temporary control zone around Haywards Heath has now been removed after tests for foot and mouth were negative. An outbreak of bluetongue has now been declared by DEFRA. Information on all the bluetongue and FMD restricted zones can be found here.
The latest foot and mouth temporary control zone around Coningsby Farm in the Maidenhead area has now been lifted after negative test results, lesions were found on the tongues of sheep but it seems this was orf, not foot and mouth.
Four different premises have now been affected by bluetongue, one in Baylham, Suffolk; one in Lound, Lowestoft; one in Copdock, Suffolk and one in Burstall, Suffolk. A temporary bluetongue control area has been set up covering the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk and the Unitary Authorities of Leicester City Council, Luton, Milton Keynes, Nottingham City Council, Peterborough, Rutland and Southend on Sea.
A seventh case of foot and mouth has been confirmed after a slaughter on suspicion of foot and mouth today. The temporary control zones around Salisbury and Petersfield have been revoked.
The country has now been divided into low risk and risk areas for foot and mouth and there is a bluetongue control zone. Farm to farm movements are now allowed in the low risk area. Details of movement licences are available here.
DEFRA leaflet on how to spot foot and mouth. If you spot foot and mouth or any other notifiable disease you should ring the DEFRA helpline on 08459 335577 and contact your Animal Health Divisional Office.
Biosecurity is essential. A full list of approved DEFRA disinfectants with dilution rates can be found here. If you have difficulties obtaining supplies we have some manufacturers details here.
The World Organisation for Animal Health information on foot and mouth can be found here.
Meanwhile, you can still find the historic information on the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak here.
If you hear of any outbreaks we would like to be notified. Please e-mail fmd@hjones-sons.co.uk
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (the 'tax man') have said they will make allowances for those affected by foot and mouth. Although this was issued in early August, farmers affected after this date should stilll try to get help. Information about this concession is available here.
We pray that this situation will not worsen too much, this country's agriculture is already suffering following the floods, declining farm incomes and an ageing farming population.