The Scottish Government

FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK - SURREY

STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

23 AUGUST, PENTLAND HOUSE

Present

* By teleconference

Introduction

1. Peter Russell opened the meeting by welcoming stakeholders and apologising for the late arrival of the Cabinet Secretary, which was due to his plane for Shetland being delayed by fog and technical problems. He then invited Charles Milne to deliver a presentation on the SCoFCAH decision and the proposed new movement regime.

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Presentation

2. Charles Milne began explaining that the SCoFCAH decision was to lift the ban on exports of live animals and animal products from GB from Saturday 25th August. In addition, Scottish Ministers had decided to lift the movement ban in Scotland from Friday 24th August and resumes sales, markets and shows from Monday 27th August. He stressed firmly that this was not a return to normality and that the excellent news came with qualifications. The SCoFCAH decision, while unexpectedly good, was based in part on the Commission and the OIE looking at regionalisation for animal diseases, and the UK credibility in taking risk-based decisions.

3. Charles Milne highlighted an extract from the European Commission decision that said;

"This reduction in the control measures at this stage has been possible because of the favourable evolution in the disease situation and the strict and immediate movement ban implemented in the whole of Great Britain and the implementation of further specific protection measures"

This vindicated the cautious process so far and showed that the Commission had accepted the appropriate, scientific and risk-based measures we had taken.

4. In detail, the consequences of the relaxations are that live animals can be exported to EU (same rules as Northern Ireland at present) with new certification requirements on residency status (which should not be an issue for Scotland). There would also be a three-day warning to the receiving member state before export of live animals.

5. The scientific basis for the conditional lifting of restrictions in Scotland included tracings, work done by Epic (the expert group led by the University of Edinburgh) and the Animal Health agency. There had been no direct movements of animals from Surrey. Tracing of indirect movements had revealed, from within 20km of the Infected Premises, 12 reported and three unreported movements. All farms receiving animals had been visited and all animals on them clinically inspected. What this exercise had shown is that animals were being moved around widely and frequently, and the unreported movements were cause for concern. There remained the possibility that there were unreported movements, and movements of people and equipment were of course unknown. Charles Milne presented a map showing the possible spread of infection had these animals been carrying foot and mouth disease.

6. He then showed the timeline of what we had been able to achieve so far, based on veterinary risk assessments that had been independently peer-reviewed by the University of Glasgow:

3 August at 21:00 - complete ban
• 4 August - milking cows
• 6 August - emergency treatment moves
• 7 August - artificial breeding
• 9 August - slaughterhouses open
• 11August - Northern and Western islands taken out of Restricted Zone; lifting of movement restriction on other islands
• 14 August - cows, sows & weaned pigs
• 16 August - older cows disposal
- welfare moves up to 20 km
• 17 August - farm business moves up to 8 km
- welfare moves up to 50 km
• 18 August - islands stock to mainland
• 22 August - collection centres

7. The following charts were probability scales showing the likelihood of undetected disease being present on a Scottish farm over time depending on various assumptions. This was followed by a map showing the movements of animals following certain markets, serving to highlight the elevated level of risk presented by markets.

8. Based on the evidence presented, Charles Milne said that we were now in a position to allow from midnight the free movement between premises in Scotland and to and from premises in England. It was unclear whether Wales were working to the same timescale. Temporary safeguards would be a 20 day standstill, with minor exceptions, and the suspension of separation agreements. From Monday 27 August Markets, sales and shows would be permitted. This was made possible only because of the 20 day standstill and suspension of separation agreements. Animals would be given a veterinary inspection on arrival at market and strict biosecurity standards were expected. England and Wales had no timetable for markets. The reason we could allow them in Scotland was the work of Epic, Scottish Executive vets and Animal Health.

9. There was a lack of clarity as to whether England would allow animals to move from Scottish markets to English premises, or vice versa. We were engaging Defra on this issue.

10. Looking ahead, managing the exit strategy would be about managing the residual risk. This would allow us to make a case to OIE for lifting of the third country export ban at the earliest opportunity, and maintain a high level of credibility, which may be needed in future.

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Questions

11. Jack Clark welcomed the announcement and complimented Charles Milne and his team on the speed of the exit strategy. He asked how long the 20 day standstill be would in place, and why had separating units been required. To the first point Charles Milne replied by saying as soon as possible, and that while England had set a date of 30 September in legislation he hoped it would be lifted in Scotland sooner. To the second point he said that separation agreements were acceptable when the risk was lower, but that the risk presented by movements within a business were still too great. He then went on to list the exemptions to the 20 day standstill, these being;

• Animals being sent direct to slaughter;
• Animals going to market to go for slaughter;
• Calves under 30 days going for fostering;
• On common grazings;
• Movements less than 8km;
• Animals being exported to or imported from outside GB;
• Animals going to and returning from veterinary treatment; and,
• On islands, animals going from an island market to a mainland market and on to a holding - this would count as one move.

The standstill would apply though to;

• Animals going onto an Artificial Insemination centre;
• Exhibitions;
• Wintering sheep;
• Breeding bulls, rams and goats;
• Lambs and kids; and,
• Pigs.

The Cabinet Secretary joined the meeting during this question.

12. Nigel Miller asked about multiple pick-ups, and Charles Milne confirmed these would be allowed. Allan Jess asked about inspections at abattoirs, and Charles Milne confired that they end too.

13. John Clark asked about inspections at markets, and when told that this would apply to all animals arriving at markets asked if the Scottish Executive would pay for these, to be informed that they will not.

14. Keith Redpath asked about replacement bulls for those injured. Charles Milne acknowledged that this was an issue and restrictions would be lifted as soon as possible.

15. Brian Pack said that the announcement was better than expected and hoped for, but that he was disappointed about the 20 day standstill, given that it would be 3 weeks tomorrow since the first case and that it would have an effect on sales and prices. He said that 13 day standstill with no separation would be better. Charles Milne responded by saying that this was due to the higher level of risk of undisclosed disease in Scotland, and while it was prudent to allow markets this could only be allowed with a 20 day standstill. He expanded on this by saying that there were certain potential trigger dates for the lifting of restrictions, with the Surveillance Zone falling not before 8 September and SCoFCAH on 11 September, adding it was conceivable that it would be lifted within 20 days.

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16. The Cabinet Secretary then spoke. He apologised for his late arrival and explained the aviation difficulties he had experienced, stressing how much he had wanted to attend this meeting. He said that when officials told him the news of foot and mouth at 7pm on 3 August he was shocked, and that it must have been much worse for those in the industry. Thinking back, he said that everyone would be pleased and relieved at this outcome after 3 weeks. At the start the first priority was disease control, and the second priority was to return to normality as fast as possible. Our actions have meant that the export ban has lasted 3 weeks instead of 3 months. We have set the pace in Scotland.

17. Andrew Wright asked about movements to England. Charles Milne explained that there was nothing in our arrangements that would prevent this. However, we understand that the English legislation as drafted prevented the holding of markets by banning the movement of animals to and from markets, and this could include markets in Scotland. He believed this to be an unintended consequence and we be speaking to CVO UK that night, highlighting the inconsistency that would see animals moving from Scottish markets to Italy, France and Belgium but not to England.

18. Alistair Donaldson asked about veterinary certification, and was told that this was in hand and Defra were treating it as a priority. He then asked about trade to third countries, highlighting sheepskins going to Turkey and China. Charles Milne said that this would be difficult and there should be no illusions. OIE meets on 19 September and we would make our case then. OIE has a strict programme of meetings that could delay UK clearance, but the UK has offered to pay for an extraordinary meeting to expedite its case.

19. Jim McLaren congratulated the Cabinet Secretary, Charles Milne, Ian Anderson and their team for the unbelievable amount of work and for the veterinary risk assessments, which had allowed Scotland to move faster than elsewhere. He then asked about re-instating separation agreements before the 20 day standstill was lifted. Charles Milne said all things were possible.

20. George Milne said that separation units had been working before, and that there was a particular problem with tups and bulls. He also highlighted problems in the sheep industry, with a major backlog causing severe cash-flow problems that would be exacerbated by the standstill. As a result more funding for QMS would help. Charles Milne responded by saying that the SCoFCAH decision was unprecedented, and was based on the credibility built up. The risk of disease spread was low but still needed managed. It was only possible to have markets because of the other restrictions. However, the point about single breeding animals was accepted and will be looked at.

21. Phil Flanders said that major difficulties would ensue from not having drivers' hours derogation, to which Ian Anderson said he was pressing DfT hard and was writing to them the following day with extra data and requesting immediate action.

22. Jim McLaren reiterated George Milne's call for money for markets, as did Kim Haywood later in her point about re-entering markets that we had only recently rejoined following the BSE ban. The Cabinet Secretary said that he had been provided with and read a paper from officials on this subject and he would consider the matter.

23. David Whiteford said that the first exported animals may be sows to Germany. He went on to say that exports of pig parts to third countries was worth up to £2 per pig, and with a 50% in feed costs this loss was significant, so he stressed the importance of the OIE discussions.

24. Donald Biggar said that the reversal of the suspension of separation agreements was the most important change that could be made, and invited stakeholders to express their gratitude for the work done over the last three weeks.

Conclusion

25. The Cabinet Secretary concluded the meeting by saying that there was still a lot of work to do. The approach so far had been speed, response and preparedness to move further forward, and this would continue. He paid tribute to the sectors represented and thanked everyone for their patience and reasonable approach over a tough three weeks.

Scottish Executive Rural Directorate
23 August 2007

A copy of the presentation given by Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland), Charles Milne, is available on the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk/footandmouth.

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