The Scottish Government

FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK - SURREY

STAKEHOLDERS MEETING - PENTLAND HOUSE - 6 AUGUST 2007

Present

* By teleconference

Top of page

INTRODUCTION

1. Cabinet Secretary welcomed stakeholders to the meeting, in order to consider an exit strategy from the various restrictions which had been imposed promptly. This however would depend on information from further testing in Surrey expected in the next 24 hours. Cabinet Secretary stated that the countryside was open for business, that he had recently had useful discussions with Hilary Benn, Defra Secretary of State as well as discussions with the British Retail Consortium.

CURRENT SITUATION

Disease situation

2. CVO confirmed that there had been no additional infected premises. The infected premises had three separate holdings. Thirty eight slaughtered cattle had been found to be infected at one location and a further one at a second location. The protection zone had been altered slightly as a consequence. Two further premises had been slaughtered out as a result of dangerous contacts.

3. CVO explained that the virus was the O type British field strain 67, which was identical to the virus found in the 1967/68 outbreak. This is not known to be currently in circulation in the world but is in use at the Pirbright research establishment and used by Merial for vaccine production. There is a strong suspicion that this was the source. All suspect reports have proved negative thus far; there have been no suspect reports in Scotland and there is no evidence of spread of the disease. There has also been surveillance of all the sheep in the infected area - this is ongoing and is expected to be complete on Wednesday. There has also been clinical inspection of cattle and pigs in this area. NFUS asked about resources for animal tracings. CVO said it was the Agency's top priority but that it was unreasonable to attempt tracings from the 47 farms in the protected zone. They were looking at movements from 3 farms with tracings ongoing.

4. SBCA asked if intelligence would be welcome on movements to which CVO responded saying that intelligence was always welcome but that they must concentrate on tracings for now. QMS asked about similarities between the 67 strain and that from the 2001 outbreak. CVO explained that they were quite similar with an incubation period of 3- 8 days. SBCA asked if the affected area was a livestock heavy area - CVO said the area had a relatively large number of holding with low numbers of stock. NSA asked about possible movements from the Sheep fair in Oxfordshire. Derek McIntosh said that this was not necessarily of any direct interest unless a positive case arose.

Recent actions

5. Cabinet Secretary outlined recent actions intended to relax restrictions in a proportionate way. These were general licences for allowing dairy cows to cross roads within farms for milking and for animals to move for the purposes of emergency veterinary treatment and as a temporary measure we would allow burial on farm. Furthermore a Helpline had been set up and was receiving a large number of calls.

6. Ian Anderson outlined progress in the very short time since disease had been confirmed at 6.15pm on Friday. The contingency plan had been implemented immediately and a movement ban was in place by 9 pm on Friday. We are moving quickly towards lifting restrictions where possible and are assisting the industry by posting Q&A and other information on the website and setting up a Helpline. Biosecurity advice had been promulgated and the derogation to permit on farm burial had been publicised.

7. NBA suggested there were localised shortages of disinfectant. Industry was asked to flag up any areas where there were shortages. NFUS asked if the list of approved disinfectants could be placed on the website and this was confirmed. Action point: Industry & AHW.

8. SAMW asked about disposal of animal by-products and the movement of hides and skins produced after 15 July. Andrew Taylor explained that the FMD legislation permitted movement of ABPs direct to disposal. Fuller guidance will be provided. Action point: AHW.

9. NFUS raised issues on the movement of wool and Farmer's markets. Neil Ritchie said that there were no restrictions on single moves to wool depots and that Farmers markets were under no restrictions (except that relating to animal movements). Further guidance would be issued. Action point: AHW.

10. SFQC confirmed that they had stood down all their inspections but intended to get them running again in a risk based manner. They also flagged up that in the pig industry Thursday was usually weaning day resulting in a demand for movement - not currently possible.

Top of page

Movement restrictions

11. CVO confirmed that the aim was to eradicate the disease in a risk managed manner. We did not wish to have to reapply measures which had been lifted too early. Measures should be proportionate and take welfare considerations into account.

Slaughter

12. CVO explained that movement to slaughter was a relatively low risk activity though not wholly without risk. We were developing an application form for use by slaughterhouses to apply to return to slaughtering. It was hoped to issue the form on Tuesday (7 August) for FBO/ OVs to complete / agree and submit to Animal Health. Conditions would include C&D facilities on site; full time supervision by MHS; and veterinary inspection prior to leaving farm of origin. It would also depend on no further disease outbreak. This might result in the resumption of slaughtering on Wednesday. CVO underlined that multiple pickups was just not an option for now.

13. BRC asked about the health mark and CVO confirmed that this was being developed. Jesus Gallego said that there may not be a need to change the health mark. SAMW thought a round health mark would be required and one should be ready in two or three days. Stickers for bags and packs from cutting plants was also a priority. SBCA asked about C&D requirements. CVO confirmed that this should be done under supervision at the plant but that vehicles should be clean before they leave farm. SBCA asked if there was any intention to resume processing of OCDS cattle. CVO stated that this was not a priority at the moment but would be looked at in time. SBCA were concerned about the practicality of single pick ups and asked if multiple pick ups, perhaps with veterinary inspection, could be considered. CVO confirmed that this was not currently an option. NBA and NFUS agreed that we should start with single pick ups.

Islands

14. CVO explained that a different level of risk prevailed on Scottish islands. Once the 8 day incubation period had passed he was inclined to permit intra-island movements, (not inter-island movements or movements onto the mainland) as an interim measure. ANM and others suggested treating Orkney and Shetland Island Groups as single entities. SFQC queried whether the same C&D requirements would be in place. CVO thought they probably would be.

Artificial Insemination/Shearing

15. CVO described these as high risk activities and said there were no current plans to relax these controls. NSA queried whether arrangements could be put in place for inspection/ C&D of contract shearers, particularly if warm weather developed. CVO undertook to consider the risk against welfare considerations if such a situation arose. NFUS raised a similar point on milk recording - with two thirds of Scottish herds being milk recorded.

Sheep sales

16. CVO stated that it was much too early to permit sheep sales. He proposed a meeting with NSA/ IAAS to look at options, but offered no guarantees. A minimum of 16 days would have to elapse before we could even consider permitting sales. NSA welcomed a meeting and underlined the need for flock owners to plan. Ian Anderson asked about the practicalities of re-scheduling sales. NSA said this could clash with big sales south of the border, with a limited number of buyers visiting sales and RHA flagged up the question of availability of hauliers at peak times in a compressed sale period. IAAS questioned whether 16 days would be necessary for fat sales. CVO said this could be considered. NSA also asked whether there would be a requirement for C&D facilities at wool depots. This would be considered. Action point: AHW

Exports

17. Cabinet Secretary stressed the importance of restarting exports. CVO explained that OIE rules allowed for exports of meat to resume three months after the last confirmed case [or 6 months after vaccination, were this to be used]. However, the EU also allows for regionalisation and an earlier start to exports. This was due to be discussed at SCoFCAH (Standing Committee on the Food Chain & Animal Health) on Wednesday and the UK is to press the case . The UK's minimum request was for Wales and Scotland to be classed as low risk. CVO confirmed that there were no exceptions for breeding stock or the animals in the export ban. He also recognised that a large number of sheep from Scotland were slaughtered in England. This would depend on the basis of the regionalisation. QMS pointed out that exports were crucial for lamb. CVO acknowledged the high degree of political will to make progress on all these issues.

18. NSA asked about progress in England. CVO confirmed that Defra were looking at similar issues but we in Scotland had the discretion to set our own policy. NBA asked about vaccination. CVO explained that it was a potentially useful tool but the appropriate conditions for use did not currently prevail. However we were prepared to vaccinate if the need arose.

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

19. Industry foresaw difficult times ahead but recognised that everyone was doing there best to minimise cost and disruption.

20. A further meeting would be held as and when appropriate but sector specific meetings to address pressing technical issues would take place over the new few days..
Rural Directorate: Animal Health & Welfare
August 2007

Top of page