News

The RPA and Natural England have this afternoon (5th September) stated that as the restrictions on movements of susceptible animals have in the main be removed, agri-environment scheme agreement holders should now be in a position to comply with the grazing requirements of their agreements. If there are individual cases where the 20 day standstill rule or restrictions still in place in the Surveillance Zone affect the agreement holder's ability to comply with the requirements of his...

Defra has updated the timetable for the return to disease free status in terms of FMD. This, as previously stated, sees the lifting of the 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone in Surrey on 8th September provided there are no further changes in the current disease situation. In addition, 8th September will see the lifting of the 20 day standstill on movements of livestock, the end of the additional requirements imposed on livestock markets and shows, and the removal of the more restrictive requirement...

From 00:01 on Monday 3 September, livestock markets for cattle, sheep, and pigs will be allowed to resume in England and Wales, outside of the Surveillance Zone in Surrey. Also from this date, animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease can be taken to shows involving animals, outside of the Surveillance Zone. There are additional conditions being imposed as a result of FMD which need to be adhered to for both livestock markets and animal gatherings and further information regarding this is...

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Office, has today confirmed that from 00.01h on Thursday 23rd August, movements of livestock will be permitted direct to collection centres and slaughter markets provided there is no alteration to the current level of disease risk. Where operators are already approved under the Animal Gatherings (England) Order 2006 should apply for a licence to operate a collection centre/slaughter market from their local Animal Health Office. Further details regarding this can...

The two Temporary Control Zones imposed in Surrey and Kent were lifted with effect from last night (15th August) following further negative laboratory Foot and Mouth disease test results. To view the Defra news release, please click here.

12.50 - We understand that Defra has stated that initial test results for the the farm in Kent and Chessington World of Adventures, both of which had suspected cases of FMD reported yesterday (14th), are negative but that further tests are being carried out to confirm that this is definitely the case. A press conference with Defra is expected shortly.

18.00 - Defra have just confirmed the imposition of a further Temporary Control Zone at 17.45 for a premises located between Esher and Epsom in Surrey (a map showing the TCZ can be viewed here). We are awaiting further details with regard to this possible case but understand it to involve sheep on a holding in Chessington. This follows the declaration earlier today of a TCZ around a farm in Kent where test results relating to 3 cattle are being awaited and are expected either later today or...

An entirely new 3km Temporary Control Zone was imposed at midnight on a farm just west of Dorking, some six miles outside the existing Protection and Surveillance Zones after an "inconclusive assessment" of animals showing suspected symptoms of FMD. This Dorking case is understood to be the Head Tenant of the second infected case. It has not been confirmed as FND. To view the temporary control zone please click here. The new general licences for movement to slaughter and for fallen stock will...

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer, has just announced during a press conference this afternoon that there is to be a relaxation in the livestock movement ban in England with effect from midnight tonight (Wednesday 8th August) in order to allow the movement of livestock direct to slaughter with strict biosecurity requirements and for the collection of fallen stock. These movements will be done under general licence. We understand that the movement straight to slaughter provisions are also...

Defra has this evening (6th August 2007) identified a further suspected case of FMD within a herd of cattle located in the larger of the two Protection Zones. The suspect herd is to be culled as soon as possible. A total of 97 animals have been culled from the initial situation found, 64 from the infected premises and 33 from two dangerous contact premises. To view further updates on Defra's website, please click here....

Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, confirmed last night (Thursday 3rd August) that further investigations into the suspected case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on what is understood to be a beef fattening farm near Guildford in Surrey had found that FMD was present. All of the cattle on the farm, which number around 60, are to be culled. A 3 kilometre Protection Zone has been imposed as well as a 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone. All movements of ruminants and pigs have been banned on...

Defra have just announced the imposition of a Temporary Control Zone under the Foot andMouthDisease(England)Order2006

1st August 2007 will see the introduction of the compulsory requirement for Home Information Packs (HIPs) for houses with 4 or more bedrooms. This requirement will be extended to small properties once there are sufficient energy assessors trained to carry out the Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs) element of the HIPs. To view further information regarding HIPs, information to be included, EPCs, guidance to buyers/sellers and property professionals, please click here....

The Court of Appeal has overturned the decision made in a High Court judgment to spare Shambo, the 'sacred' bullock kept in the Skanda Vale multi-faith community which tested positive for bovine TB some weeks ago. Following the High Court judgement which ruled that the slaughter of Shambo would contravene the rights of Skanda Vale community under the European Convention of Human Rights, the Welsh Assembly Government had lodged an appeal against the ruling. Unless the Skanda Vale community...

Lord Rooker has today (26th June) presented a written Ministerial Statement to Parliament regarding the Business Plan and Performance targets for the RPA for 2007/8. The targets which Lord Rooker has set are contained in his statement, a link to which is provided above. The RPA 2007/08 Strategy and Business Plan may be viewed on the RPA's website....

New CAAV President - At the AGM of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) held last Friday (8th June) in Bedford, Graham Martyn of the Cheshire Agricultural Valuers Association, and partner of Wright Manley, was elected President of the CAAV. Graham is joined on the CAAV Presidential team by Paul Clayson as Vice-President and Mark Webb as Junior Vice-President. The Debate on Biofuels - It is time for UK farmers to start committing to growing crops for biofuels, a leading merchant...