1. How is FMD spread and why is biosecurity so important?

FMD is a highly infectious and contagious disease. It spreads very easily between animals and is also easily spread by direct contact with infected animal products or animal waste. It may also spread by indirect contact with items that have become contaminated by infected animals (e.g. by contamination on a person's clothing, footwear and hands and contamination on vehicles and equipment) and can become air-borne. It is essential that all possible routes of spread are blocked through good biosecurity.

2. What are the most important things that animal keepers can do to help?

• Check livestock frequently and report suspicions of FMD immediately to their Animal Health Office. Vigilance is essential.
• Implement and maintain strict biosecurity measures including:
o Avoiding unnecessary visits to other farms
o Maintaining personal hygiene
o Avoiding unnecessary visitors to premises where animals are kept and employing cleaning & disinfectant procedures for footwear/vehicles
o Making sure boundaries are secure.
o Isolating and monitoring ill or new livestock
• Further information can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/PreventativeMethods
• Avoid any unnecessary movements on and off premises where animals are kept, including of people, vehicles, quad bikes, etc, machinery and animals.

3. What additional biosecurity measures should farmers with livestock at more than one site take?
• Ensure that different groups of livestock do not come in contact with each other;
• Designate specific staff and vehicles to each site, and minimise the movements between them;
• If this is not possible, keep the number of journeys made to visit each group of stock to an absolute minimum;
• At all times ensure the most rigorous cleansing and disinfection of personnel, equipment and vehicles has been carried out on entry and exit from livestock premises.

4. Where can I find information on cleansing and disinfection requirements for permitted animal movements?

Full cleansing and disinfection requirements can be found in the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulations 2005. This can be obtained from our website at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2005/ssi_20050653_en.pdf. Hardcopies can be obtained from The Stationary Office Ltd (TSO): TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN, Tel: 0870 600 5522, Fax: 0870 600 5533, or possibly through your local library.

5. Where can I find information on approved disinfectants?

A full list of disinfectants and dilutions approved for use against foot and mouth disease and other diseases can be found in the The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Amendment (Scotland) Order 2006 (2006 No. 352). This can be obtained from our website at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2006/ssi_20060352_en.pdf. Hardcopies can be obtained from The Stationary Office Ltd (TSO): TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN, Tel: 0870 600 5522, Fax: 0870 600 5533, or possibly through your local library.

6. What biosecurity measures should the public in general take?

When in the countryside, recreational users should follow these precautions:
• Avoid all contact (touching) with farm animals and avoid livestock areas e.g. feeding stations
• Avoid parking in fields where there are farm animals
• Respect all official signage
• Never feed animals or leave food and/or packaging around where animals can eat it
• Ensure gates are left as they are found
• Use disinfectant footpads or baths where provided
• Take all litter away
• Keep dogs under close control at all times.

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