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FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE, BOVINE - UK (ENGLAND) (38)

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[1] Outbreaks near Windsor and Queen's dairy herd

[3] Temporary Control Zone - border of East and West Sussex



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[1] Outbreaks near Windsor and Queen's dairy herd





Foot-and-mouth disease was last night [30 Sep 2007] threatening the 

Queen's dairy herd of Jersey cattle at Windsor, as the government 

confirmed an 8th outbreak in Surrey.



Cattle owned by Nigel Berryman, a Crown Estate tenant who farms in 

Datchett, across the river from the Royal Home Farms, are to be 

slaughtered today [1 Oct 2007] as dangerous contacts with infected animals.



A total of 161 cattle on 4 farms, including Mr Berryman's animals on 

Englefield Green, Surrey, are to be culled after confirmation last 

night [30 Sep 2007] of the 8th outbreak at Ankerdyke Farm, Wraysbury.



For the moment, his cattle at Southwood Manor Farm, Datchett, will be 

spared, but will be subject to intensive inspection and testing. 

Nevertheless, the sensitivity of Mr Berryman's position as a close 

neighbour to the Queen was not lost inside the government.



A spokeswoman at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural 

Affairs insisted that no special measures to protect the Queen's 

animals had been requested by the Royal Household.



A senior farming source said it was inconceivable that the Queen 

would intervene to try to overturn current regulations and ensure the 

vaccination of her animals while other farmers were suffering the 

loss of their herds. However, a number of local veterinary surgeons 

believe that the Queen should now take a stance and insist on the use 

of vaccination.



This latest case of foot-and-mouth has delayed the return of meat 

exports to the Continent from low-risk disease areas of Britain for 

at least 2 weeks. There was relief that the 8th case of 

foot-and-mouth remained inside the surveillance zone.



Farmers across the country are also alarmed by the possible spread 

westwards of bluetongue virus from Suffolk to the East Midlands, 

though last night [30 Sep 2007], there were still only 11 cases and 

no confirmation of bluetongue outside East Anglia.



The desperate situation for many farmers fighting disease on 2 fronts 

has prompted Gordon Brown to sanction an urgent aid package. Among 

to persuade consumers to buy British lamb that cannot be exported; a 

public procurement scheme to buy up meat for use in hospitals, 

schools, prisons and to feed military personnel; extra cash for hill 

farmers; easing of red tape for pig and poultry farms; speedy 

development of a bluetongue vaccine; and funding for a collection and 

disposal scheme of animals killed by bluetongue. Hilary Benn, the 

Rural Affairs Secretary, is to work on the details with farmers' 

leaders this week.



Meanwhile, the Scottish Executive has agreed a separate welfare 

package to slaughter and incinerate 250 000 lambs and to pay farmers 

GBP 15 [USD 30] compensation for each animal. However, Defra and the 

Treasury are refusing to fund such a scheme. Ministers and farmers' 

leaders in England believe that the scheme is unpalatable and will 

offend public opinion.



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Defra has today [1 Oct 2007] announced that Kent, Essex, East Sussex, 

Southend, Thurrock, Medway, Brighton and Hove will be removed from 

the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Risk Area. From midnight tonight, 

these counties will fall within the FMD Low Risk Area and be subject 

to the movement controls that apply in this area. This decision 

follows a veterinary risk assessment revealing no evidence of 

movements of FMD susceptible animals to, or have cause to suspect FMD 

in, those counties. Areas remaining within the FMD Risk Area are kept 

under constant review.



This decision means that livestock keepers in these areas will be 

able to move animals from farm to farm. Pigs will also be allowed to 

move an unlimited distance. The control measures in place within the 

Bluetongue Protection Zone remain unchanged.



Also, the latest epidemiology report published last week concludes 

that the risk of disease spread outside of the Surrey Protection and 

Surveillance Zones is very low. Therefore, based on the overall 

assessment of risk, Defra is today [1 Oct 2007] standing down 

vaccination teams from their current level of alert. Teams could be 

remobilised again in 5 days, if needed.



It remains essential for animal keepers to practice the highest 

standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant for disease and report any 

suspicions immediately. Livestock owners should examine their cattle 

twice a day.



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[3] Temporary Control Zone - border of East and West Sussex





the border of East and West Sussex.



A 3-km Temporary Control Zone has today [1 Oct 2007] been put around 

a premises near Haywards Heath on the border of East and West Sussex. 

This is a precautionary measure following a veterinary assessment of 

clinical signs. Laboratory tests are ongoing, and there is no 

timetable for receiving these results.



It remains essential for animal keepers to practice the highest 

standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant for disease and report any 

suspicions immediately. All livestock owners should examine their 

livestock twice a day.



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[Location and timing are of course key elements of attempts to 

eliminate any disease in animal populations, and this is especially 

true for a very tricky, easily spread virus such as FMD.



A map of the temporary control area near Haywards Heath can be seen 

at 



Also, it appears as if large areas of the Essex, Kent and other areas 

in the eastern part of the country will be removed from the FMD Risk 

Area. While progress is always appreciated, the decision described in 

the news release appears to indicate that this decision is based on 

last week's epidemiology report and assessment of risk. However, we 

have had a temporary Control Zone announced today [1 Oct 2007] and a 

new infected premise -- the 8th location -- reported yesterday. One 

wonders whether standing down the vaccination teams might be a bit 

premature, and the 5 day time gap, if vaccination were adopted, would 

be costly. Clearly, this outbreak is threatening to spread, and it is 

difficult to be confident that it will not spread extensively. On the 

other hand, there may be few or no more infected premises; only time 

will tell. - Mod.PC]



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Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (07), conf 20070807.2572

Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (05), OIE 20070806.2559

...............................pc/msp/mpp