October 16, 2007

 

UK to lift pig movement restrictions

 

 

Pigs in most of Britain will be allowed to be transported again as of Wednesday, October 17, the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced.

 

This decision comes as Defra announced it intention to lift the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) restriction zone in the area in South England that was struck by FMD in August and September.

 

The decision has been taken following extensive surveillance in the area, and is in line with EU rules, according to Defra.

 

FMD has resulted in lost income of GBP 100 million (US$204.25 million) to the farm sector since the first outbreak in August, according to The National Farmers' Union.

 

Government deputy chief vet Fred Landeg announced the plan to end the zone and allow free movement of livestock outside the high risk zone.

 

The area around Egham will be kept under close watch, with tests and surveillance expected to continue until at least November 5 and movement of animals from inside the zone will be kept under review.

 

Landeg said the government is aware of the economic impact of movement restrictions and the removal of the UK movement ban outside high risk areas should help the farming industry get back to "business as usual".

 

The resumption of markets and movements to a larger number of slaughterhouses should also ease the impact felt by farmers within the Bluetongue zones, he added.

 

Recently, the EU resumed meat imports from Scotland, Wales and parts of England in the wake of the bluetongue and Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks.

 

Farmers in areas considered at low risk from both diseases - which excludes parts of south-east England and East Anglia - can resume exports.