FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Veterinary Risk Assessment (No.9)
What is the risk of causing new outbreaks of FMD by allowing collection centres for slaughter cattle and sheep?
Summary of the risk factors
Gathering livestock from different farms during an FMD outbreak increases the risk of spreading infection to premises which were previously uninfected. In the case of collection centres all the animals are intended for immediate slaughter at an abattoir.
Results of tracings carried out from the two infected farms and their two dangerous contact premises and from other farms in the county of Surrey and the adjacent area of Hampshire within 20 km of the infected farms have not revealed any direct movements of susceptible livestock into Scotland. However, a small number of indirect contacts have been detected through an analysis of the movement databases. Further investigations have revealed that there have been a number of unreported movements which could have resulted in indirect contact with farms in Scotland, particularly through silent spread by sheep.
The risk is that there might be an undetected pocket of infection on one of the farms sending sheep or cattle to a collection centre. At the collection centre infected animals might spread the infection to the others. There is also a risk that unregulated contact with livestock at a collection centre by persons delivering animals could spread the virus to other farms visited by farmers or drovers after the collection centre.
The vehicles used to transport animals to a collection centre could carry the virus to other farms. The site used for a collection centre could remain infected from one day to another multiplying the risk of the virus being spread by contaminated vehicles or people, and/or by these or other means (such as wind) onto livestock premises neighbouring the collection centre.
Summary of risk reducing factors
There are many statutory controls which act to reduce risks. These include the pre-existing 6 day standstill periods applying to all farms in England & Wales and 13 day standstill periods in Scotland, introduced after the 2001 FMD epidemic. Pig premises are subject to different, more rigorous controls which restrict movements to within breeding pyramids and impose longer standstill period for movements which have taken place from outside the pyramid.
As soon as disease was suspected in Surrey on 2 August there were immediate restrictions on the movement of livestock from farms close to the original infected farm.
One of the most significant risk reduction measures has been the rapid introduction of the Restricted Zone measures which have prevented almost all movements of susceptible animals since the evening of Friday 3 August 2007.
The resulting publicity raised the awareness of the farming community, as evidenced by the 70 reports from England & Wales of suspected disease - all of which were subsequently cleared by Animal Health.
The epidemiological report submitted to the European Commission dated 8 August 2007 indicated that the risk of silent spread out of Surrey through the movements of sheep during the risk period was very low.
The slaughter of animals recommenced in Scotland on 8 August. Since then, most abattoirs have been close to normal capacity and all animals have been subjected to ante and post mortem inspection at abattoirs without cases of FMD being confirmed.
Movements of animals for a number of welfare related reasons have been licensed after veterinary inspections. Since 3 August, 287 inspections have been carried out without suspicious findings being reported.
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Risk management
The data available so far suggest that the risk of undisclosed pockets of infection on farms in Scotland is low but not negligible.
Properly conducted collections for animals for slaughter would not present an increased risk, provided a number of conditions were observed:
Before movement:
- Prior to any movement the owner/keeper shall inspect each animal to be moved for signs of foot and mouth disease. No animal may be moved from the premises if any animal so inspected shows any such signs.
- Movements only to approved collection centres can be permitted, journeys must be direct.
- Only single pick-ups from farm to collection centre can be permitted. No multiple farm pick ups of livestock on the way to the collection centre are permitted.
- Vehicles must be cleansed and disinfected before loading.
At the collection centre:
- Collection centres must be approved and be constructed of impermeable material capable of being cleansed and disinfected fully. The floors, fixture and fittings must be in a good state of repair and capable of being cleaned and disinfected.
- Collection centres must have secure boundaries to prevent escape of livestock and their waste products. Susceptible animals should be separated from other susceptible livestock on neighbouring premises and isolated from the general public.
- All stock must enter and leave the collection centre premises within 24 hrs, to enable an all-in all-out rule to be observed.
- All stock at a collection centre must be subjected to a veterinary inspection at the time of or soon after arrival.
- No animal can be allowed to return home or move to another farm. There must be contingencies agreed to deal with remaining animals if e.g. an abattoir breaks down, and must include a policy for the culling of animals not fit to move to an abattoir for any reason.
- There should be adequate personal washing and disinfecting facilities for persons entering and leaving premises (e.g. to wash boots).
- Vehicle drivers and all persons handling animals must be appropriately dressed.
- All vehicles must be cleansed and disinfected before departure, vehicle drivers and other animal attendants must also cleanse and disinfect their boots and clothing before leaving.
- The parts of the collections centre used for the loading, unloading and handling of livestock must be fully cleansed and disinfected at the conclusion of every collection.
- All animal movements should notified to BCMS & SAMU within 24 hours of collection, preferably electronically .
- Collection centres must have adequate waste management arrangements for manure and waste feed.
SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION
Susceptible livestock may be moved to slaughter via a collection centre under the conditions listed above.
The key features are:
- vehicles to be cleansed and disinfected before loading
- direct movement from farm to collection centre
- only approved premises should be used
- access to livestock at the collection centre limited to essential persons
- veterinary inspection at the collection centre
- direct movement to abattoir
- full C&D of collection centre after use.
Veterinary Division
Rural Directorate
Scottish Executive
20 August 2007
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