Devon is in the FMD Low Risk Area where existing FMD movements continue to apply. Farm to farm movements will be permitted under strict conditions and are subject to high levels of biosecurity under a general licence. For more information about Defra's FMD zones see the update on the national situation below.

There continue to be no identified cases of Foot and Mouth or Bluetongue in Devon. Key messages are vigilance, (checking livestock twice a day) and maintaining excellent biosecurity. The Devon countryside is open and welcomes visitors.

Devon County Council's Trading Standards Service, in partnership with Defra’s local Animal Health Office and the farming community, is helping to lead Devon's front-line to prevent and combat the spread of disease in animals. As part of the County Council's response to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth in Surrey, an online service is available providing a round up of County Council news and information, links to DEFRA for the national picture, and advice line contact details for the farming community.

The online service also looks back to 2001 and the lessons learned in Devon. The official report of the Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry makes fascinating reading and many of its findings were implemented by the Government in its reform of the national contingency plan.

http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environment/footandmouth.htm

Devon County Council’s Trading Standards Service Farming Standards Animal Health Operations Centre is operating extended office hours of 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, to provide advice and assistance to the farming community. The centre can be contacted on 08451 551999. The service also continues to monitor activity in the livestock business to ensure that all the disease prevention controls are being maintained.

Update on national situation

Yesterday, Defra confirmed positive test results for Foot and Mouth Disease at a site within the existing Egham Protection Zone in Surrey. The cattle had been slaughtered on suspicion of the disease yesterday. It is the seventh outbreak since 3 August this year. Minor changes have been made to the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone in the area.

Temporary control zones in the Hampshire area have been lifted following negative laboratory results.

The Country is to be split into zones to help progress animal movements as follows -

Protection and Surveillance Zones - No movements of live animals other than to Surveillance slaughter houses

FMD Risk Area - Specific controls apply to this area

FMD Low Risk Area - Existing FMD movements continue to apply. In addition, farm to farm movements will be permitted under strict conditions and subject to high levels of biosecurity under a general licence.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/gl-movement-450-250907.pdf

Farm to farm movements of cattle commenced in Wales from 00:01 yesterday and similar movements are now permitted in England. Guidance on enforcing the new movement regime will be made available to local authorities. Details of the strict requirements of the new farm to farm General Licence, a movement matrix and a map of the areas are in the links below. Other general licences are available on the Defra website. The Trading Standards Service can provide copies and advice as well.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/movements-guidance.htm

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/movement-matrices250907.pdf

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/movement-matrices250907.pdf

Bluetongue
Defra has identified a Bluetongue Temporary Area which came into force from 15:30 yesterday while surveillance is carried out to determine whether the virus is circulating. The area covers Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

Defra has confirmed that a second cow has tested positive for Bluetongue on the same farm in Baylham, Suffolk, where the disease was first discovered on Saturday 22 September. In addition Defra has confirmed that a third animal has tested positive for Bluetongue near Lowestoft. This is not sufficient evidence to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue, and it cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating between the local animal and midge populations. Tests are continuing on the remaining animals on the premises and surrounding area.

Details are available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/animal-0922.htm

Defra has stated: “Defra do not recommend the treatment of the general environment with insecticides, as this will have little effect on midge populations and have serious environmental implications.”

Very useful advice to livestock keepers on the steps they can take to reduce the risk of Bluetongue is also available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/farmers/index.htm

LACORS has produced a high level briefing on Bluetongue which includes summary information on the disease, the current situation, control measures that may be used and the role of local authorities. A copy is attached.

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There is no restriction on exports relating to Bluetongue. Should Bluetongue be confirmed in the UK, exports of species susceptible to the disease out of the affected area would be restricted. However, exports of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deers, and llamas and their products from Great Britain are already banned by the EU under current FMB restrictions.

Defra is preparing information on the likely affect on exports if a bluetongue outbreak is confirmed.

General information
Information, data and regularly updated Q&A briefing is publicly available on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/

The Defra Helpline 08459 33 55 77 is operating between 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Regards,
Adrian Lane,
Press Officer,
Corporate Communications Unit,
Devon County Council,
G59 County Hall,
Exeter
EX2 4QD
t.01392 38 3262
f.01392 38 2301
adrian.lane@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk