FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Veterinary Risk Assessment (No.7)
What is the risk of causing new outbreaks of FMD by allowing single movements of FMD susceptible livestock directly between two defined premises in a single farm business necessitated on the grounds of animal welfare under a specific licence?
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 the other part of the same premises. The important factors are likely to be:
- movement of infected animals from farms in the Protection Zones or Surveillance Zones to farms in Scotland
- silent spread of FMD by sheep
- undisclosed FMD at the premises of departure or the premises from which the transport was despatched
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 TCZ and after confirmation other controls on infected premises, in the PZ and the SZ.
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:
- the proposed movements are over a short distance
- the limited number of movements from England and Wales to Scotland during the summer, supported by preliminary modelling results
- in particular there are no reports on SAMU of any movements of sheep or pigs from Surrey into Scotland since 16 July 2007
- the epidemiological report submitted to the Commission dated 8 August 2007 indicated that the risk of silent spread out of Surrey through the movements of sheep during the risk period is very low.
- since the slaughter of animals recommenced on 8 August around 15,000 animals have been subjected to ante and post mortem inspection at abattoirs in Scotland
- movements can only take place within premises in the same ownership
- No cases in Scotland since the Welfare Movements risk assessment on 11 August 2007
- No further cases in Engalnd and Wales since 11 August 2007
Risk management
- Movements are only permitted by specific licence.
- No FMD susceptible animals must have moved onto the premises of departure in the preceding 20 days.
- Stock can only be moved to a 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 single farm business up to 50 kilometres in a straight line.
- Only the individual animals specified in the licence may move.
- All movements must be reported to CTS (cattle) or SAMU (sheep, goats and pigs)
- The movement must take place within 24 hours of veterinary inspection.
- The movement must be a single journey, directly between the two premises specified in the licence.
- Movements must be critically assessed by the inspecting veterinary surgeon and only those that deal with a welfare situation/serious potential situation that cannot be dealt with by other means should be approved.
- 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.
- Contact with stock other than those that are to move must be minimised.
- On leaving the originating premises, the wheels and wheel arches of the vehicle including any trailer must be effectively cleansed and disinfected.
- The vehicle must be effectively cleansed and disinfected at the receiving premises immediately after unloading and prior to the vehicle making any further journey.
- Straw, bedding and other contaminated material must be appropriately disposed of.
SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION
The risk can be minimised by restricting movements to those which are essential to protect animal welfare.
Movements may only take place under the terms of a specific licence.
Veterinary Division
Rural Directorate
Scottish Executive
16 August 2007
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