News

Defra has confirmed that positive results for FMD have been received regarding a herd of cattle which were subject to slaughter on suspicion earlier today on a farm in Englefield Green near Egham, within the existing Egham Protection Zone. This means there have now been seven infected premises since the initial outbreak on 3rd August. There have been minor changes made to the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone which can be viewed on Defra's website....

6.45 p.m.: It has been reported on BBC News24 this evening (24th September) that a second case of Bluetongue has been confirmed on the same farm as the first case. Some 70 cattle on the farm have seemingly been tested. Defra has confirmed that "This is not sufficient evidence to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue". For further information please see Defra's website.

Defra has confirmed that a further Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been imposed in Hampshire near to East Winterslow. The results of tests from the TCZ imposed yesterday at Rogate/Petersfield are still awaited. It is understood from BBC News 24 that there is to be a press conference at 3.30 this afternoon with Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds.

DEFRA has today allowed new general licences for limited movements outside the Surveillance Zone under stringent conditions. The movements allowed are: - for pigs to move from breeding units to grower untis and to finishing units for welfare reasons - for susceptible animals to be moved up to 3km between premises under the same occupation or along/across a road for any reason - cows for calving and cows with calves to be moved up to 50km between premises in the same occupation. For full details...

The Temporary Control Zone imposed yesterday between Solihull and Birmingham airport has been revoked this evening after tests for FMD proved negative.

3.50 p.m. Defra has just announced the imposition of a further 3 km radius Temporary Control Zone following a suspected FMD case on a premises in Solihull. Laboratory test results are awaited. To view the Declaration of the TCZ and the associated map please see Defra's website.

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer, has made a plea today (17th September) that farmers check their stock twice a day for symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease. Laboratory tests received back today confirmed FMD virus antibodies were present in the cattle from the premises which was confirmed yesterday and that postmortem examination had found FMD lesions, some of which were more than 10 days old. The national movement ban remains in place, apart from the limited movements permitted outside...

DEFRA has now confirmed that the 2nd farm slaughter at Egham did test positive for Foot and Mouth, making the 4th positive case since 3rd August. The suspect case in Norfolk proved negative. DEFRA is working hard on potential arrangements for further licensed movements and will make announcements as the situation develops. At this stage, it is focusing on direct movement to slaughter and welfare issues. It would be helpful to know of any classes of animal welfare issue which members would expect...

Limited movements of animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are allowed under strict biosecurity arrangements to address immediate welfare issues, in line with the contingency plan. The national ban on movements of animals susceptible to FMD, announced earlier on 12 September, remains in place.Limited movements of animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are allowed under strict biosecurity arrangements to address immediate welfare issues, in line with the contingency...

It is understood that a sheep which was showing signs of ill health is being tested as a precautionary measure at the Lawrie and Symington run agricultural centre near Lanark. For further information regarding this, please see the BBC News website

Defra has this afternoon (12th September -15.25) imposed a 3 km Temporary Control Zone in Dereham in Norfolk following a suspected case of vesicular disease in pigs. Further information is awaited.

1.00 p.m. Further to the earlier imposition of a 10 km Temporary Control Zone, Defra officials have stated that the suspected case of Foot and Mouth Disease at Milton Park Farm, Stroude Road, near Egham in Surrey is a confirmed FMD outbreak. A pre-emptive slaughter is to be carried out at the farm. A national livestock movement ban has again been imposed. Further information is currently available on the BBC News website. 2.55 p.m.Further information has now also been published on Defra's...

Defra has put in place a 10 kilometre Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in the Egham area of Surrey following a further suspected case of Foot and Mouth Disease. Further tests are being carried out. A Cobra emergency meeting is to take place chaired by Prime Minister Gordon Brown this afternoon at 5 p.m. To view the Declaration, please click here. To view the map of the TCZ, please click here....

DEFRA has quoted the Chief Vet as saying she is satisfied that Foot and Mouth Disease has been eradicated from Surrey. This has enabled the Surveillance Zone to be lifted from noon tomorrow, with all other UK restrictions imposed as control measures in the last five weeks also being lifted then. The HSE has reported that the most probable means by which the disease escaped from Pirbright was through a broken underground drain. It appears it was DEFRA's obligation to maintain that drain. DEFRA...

DEFRA confirmed today that all UK FMD restrictions will be lifted from noon on Saturday 8th September when the Surrey Surveillance Zone is removed, some five weeks after the start of the outbreak. From then: - the 20 day standstill rule will revert to the previous 6 day rule (13 in Scotland and 20 still for pigs) and existing 20 day periods need not be completed. - the recent rules for markets and shows will end, reverting to the pre-outbreak regime - the new restrictions on movements within...