Agriculture
Movements of susceptible livestock within a premises, or single farm business, within 8 kilometres to facilitate routine farming husbandry operations.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Veterinary Risk Assessment (No.6)
What is the risk of causing new outbreaks of FMD by moving susceptible livestock within a farm premises, or single farm business, within 8km, to facilitate routine farming husbandry operations?
Summary of the risk factors
Moving livestock during an FMD outbreak increases the risk of spreading infection to premises which were previously uninfected. The risk is that undisclosed infection will be carried to new locations. The important risk factors are:-
- Undisclosed FMD at the premises of departure or the premises from which the transport was despatched
- Silent spread of FMD by sheep or spread by susceptible livestock incubating disease
- Mechanical spread of FMD virus in animal products or by other mechanical means - in decreasing order of risk: livestock; livestock vehicles; farm tractors and machinery; other equipment used in connection with handling susceptible livestock; farmers and other livestock handlers' boots and clothing.
The factors considered to be most responsible for increasing the risks are:-
- Movement of live animals onto farms delivered before the national movement ban came into force on 3 August 2007
- Lack of awareness of appropriate biosecurity precautions on many farms throughout GB
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 and Wales and 13 day standstill periods in Scotland, introduced after the 2001 FMD epidemic. Pig premises are subject to different, more rigorous controls which generally restrict movements to within breeding pyramids and impose longer standstill periods for movements which have taken place from outside the pyramid.
As soon as disease was suspected in Surrey on 2 August, a TCZ (temporary control zone) was established and, after confirmation on 3 August, stringent controls were implemented on the infected premises and in the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone subsequently established.
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. Other factors include:
- limited number of movements from England and Wales to Scotland during the summer as supported by preliminary modelling results
- no reports on SAMU of any movements of sheep or pigs from Surrey into Scotland since 16 July 2007
- The incubation for the present strain causing the Surrey outbreak is thought to be between 5-8 days, although the incubation period for FMD can be up to 14 days. No cases of FMD have been confirmed in the UK since the 6 August.
- There have been a total of 66 report cases in GB during the current outbreak, of which 64 cases since 6 August have proved negative and no reports have been made in Scotland.
- The strain of FMD in cattle and pigs is relatively easy for stockmen to spot
- Movements will take place within premises which are part of same Epidemiological Unit
- Very few livestock vehicles moved anywhere in GB from the introduction of the RZ on 3 August until the general licence for the direct transport of animals to slaughter came into operation on 8 August
- The general media interest in the FMD outbreak has raised farmers awareness to FMD is in GB
- Biosecurity standards can reasonably be expected to be higher
- Movements within an Epidemiological Unit can be subject to more rigorous inspection and biosecurity protocols thereby localising the minimal risk.
Risk Management
- Movements are only permitted under general licence with specific conditions
- Stock can only be moved to destination premises with stock proof fencing and where the Epidemiological Unit does not involve shared grazing or common land
- Movements are limited to movements in Scotland only
- Movements are only permitted within a farm premises, or a single farm business, up to 8 km in a straight line
- Movements between holdings must be reported to CTS (cattle) or SAMU (sheep, goats and pigs) as is normally required.
- Livestock to be removed must be inspected and any clinical signs of foot and mouth disease must be reported to the local Divisional Veterinary Manager.
- If used to transport livestock, vehicles, including any trailers, must be leak proof
- Vehicles used must be effectively cleansed and disinfected before use
- Attendants must wear clean protective clothing that can be cleansed and disinfected
SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION
The risks can be minimised by restricting movements to those which are essential husbandry operations within farming businesses.
Movements may only take place under the terms of the general licence.
Veterinary Division
Rural Directorate
Scottish Executive
16 August 2007