Foot and Mouth Disease -

Foot and Mouth Disease - Resumption of Hunting

As from Monday, 11th February 2002 restrictions on hunting in England and Wales have been greatly reduced. As from that date, hunting may take place under a new Temporary Individual Permit:

"Hunting with dogs in England and Wales is permitted subject to the conditions set out in this Temporary General Permit.

The person(s) responsible for organising the hunting activity shall ensure that they and their respective employees, agents and servants observe the relevant conditions at all times.

HUNTING where quarry is pursued from farm to farm (including trail and drag hunting)

The person(s) responsible for organising the hunt and their respective employees, agents and servants shall take all necessary precautions to void any possibility of incursions in the course of the hunt by participants or by any dogs or horses onto premises subject to Form A or Form D restrictions or any like restritions imposed under Article 38 of the Foot and Mouth Disease Order. To that end, a 3 km buffer zone must be observed around any Form A, D or Article 38 premises, and the hunt organiser must agree beforehand in, in writing, with the DEFRA Divisional Veterinary Manager the arrangements that will be made to ensure that hunts will not take place in an area that would infringe the 3 km buffer zone."

Masters should contact their DEFRA Divisional Veterinary Manager as to what form their agreement in writing will take.

Disinfection of participants and their vehicles is not necessary unless that vehicle has been carrying susceptible species.

Daily compliance forms for participants will not be necessary, but you are reminded that all forms completed be3fore this date must be kept for 6 months.

Masters no longer need to fill in the forms and maps before and after each hunting day.

Note that 9 km buffer zones for A or D Notice restrictions have been reduced to 3 km.

Hunts must observe the present permit conditions until they have obtained their new individual Permit.

Alistair Jackson, Director
Master of Foxhounds Association

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