August 6, 2007

 

UK speeds up response to FMD outbreak

 

The UK has stepped up its response time to a foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) outbreak confirmed in Surrey, England, late Friday, taking on lessons learned from the 2001 disaster, officials said Saturday (August 3).

 

Movement was immediately banned of all cattle, sheep and pigs through all of the UK

 

"The response has been much more rapid than in 2001," said David Coplow of the British Veterinary Association. He said government officials had waited several days in 2001 before banning animal movement, allowing for the disease to spread.

 

In 2001, some 2,030 cases were confirmed across the country, with about 6 million animals culled, most of which were sheep. Losses in agriculture and other parts of the food chain tallied GBP3.1 billion (US$6.32 billion) due to the 2001 outbreak, while tourism and other related businesses lost GBP5 billion (US$10.20 billion).

 

The UK must cull diseased and other susceptible animals on the infected premises within 24 hours of the confirmed outbreak.

 

Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband said there will be no going back to the burning piles of animals seen during the 2001 outbreak.

 

"They will be culled and incinerated (immediately)," he said.

 

Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union for England and Wales, said, "I am really pleased (officials) acted really quickly."

 

Now the key will be to ascertain the source and how far it has spread, said Kendall.

 

Industry experts were scratching their heads as to how the disease returned to the country. However, they said it may prove helpful that the current outbreak is in an area where with a low farm animal population and on a relatively small farm of 60 animals.

 

Shadow Minister for Agriculture James Paice said much will depend on finding out what strain of foot-and-mouth the outbreak is to know its origin.