Foot & Mouth Disease - Farmers Up-Date
West Group NFU - Update on Stock Movement:
It is clear that farmers need to move livestock especially as we are close to lambing. This circular is to brief you on the present position.
You will have heard that MAFF are to issue licences for the movement of slaughter stock to abattoir. MAFF will be issuing phone numbers for this purpose. At the time of going to print these were not available. If you need information on this issue, please contact the MAFF Helpline on - 0845 0504141.
Pressure is being put on for the movement of livestock and meetings are being held at the highest level. The action committee that produces this information are in touch with the developments as they come forward. MAFF are not inclined to allow movements, but in extreme cases applications can be made in writing and sent to your local State Veterinary Service office at either Taunton or Exeter, stating how many animals need to be moved, why, when and where.
Local NFU helpline phone numbers are:
Message to farmers from Exmoor National Park Authority
Managing access on Exmoor:
If you
have a problem with people ignoring the signs,
Contact: Head Ranger, Bill Gurnett, on 07970 099110
The National Park Authority has also sought advice on the possible effect of a local outbreak of foot and mouth disease on deer. Dr. Jochen Langbein, who has been advising the National Park Authority says, "In general deer will move relatively little at this time of year, and in the event of a local outbreak of foot and mouth, wild deer in the vicinity should be disturbed ad little as possible to prevent the problem from being made worse and spreading further."
He continued: "There have been no recorded occurrences of foot and mouth disease in wild deer in this country for over 40 years. Other mammals such as hedgehogs and rats are known to be naturally susceptible to the disease and hence would be at least equally likely to transmit the disease. The advice therefore for wild animals, as for the domestic stock, is to restrict unnecessary disturbance and movement as much as possible".
Dr. Langbein also suggested that to help minimise any possible cross-infection, domestic stock should be kept on in-by land away from possible contact with wild deer and the animals should be fed where deer are less likely to mingle with them.
In a recent statement the British Deer Society say they have been unable to find any report where wild deer where considered to have played a role in the spread of foot and mouth disease in Europe.
Alick Simmons, Divisional Veterinary Manager for Somerset and Dorset at the Ministry of Agriculture says: "Action against wild deer is not advised at present. If an outbreak of foot and mouth disease did occur on Exmoor, we would need to consider carefully the most effective action to take".
In conclusion, the National Park Authority asks that we all make every effort to prevent the spread of the disease to Exmoor, including minimising movement and disturbance of the red deer herd.