STAFF at Thame Cattle Market were this afternoon devasted, at the news that a second outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease has been confirmed, this time in Egham, Surrey.
Just as things were beginning to get back to something like near-normal after the lifting of the ban on animal movements, Cattlemarket staff and management were looking forward to 5,000 sheep arriving at the market on Friday, to be sold. Now that will not be happening and all staff can do is sit and wait for instructions from DEFRA, and fear the worst – that hundreds of farmers’ incomes and livelihoods will once again be threatened, and the future of the cattlemarket itself is jeopordised.
A movement ban of cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has now been imposed in England and parallel arrangements are being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations. No movements of susceptible animals are allowed except under licence.
In England, controls are in place on movement of animal carcasses, animal gatherings, shearing and dipping are restricted, and all farms must increase levels of biosecurity. In both the Protection and Surveillance Zones, there will be requirements for increased levels of biosecurity on farms, movement controls, controls on transportation of dung/manure and treatment of animal products to ensure destruction of the FMD virus.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, said:”This is news that no one wanted to hear, least of all the farming industry. The immediate establishment of both a Protection Zone, with footpaths closed within it, and a national animal movement ban shows our determination to contain and eradicate this latest outbreak. Having spoken this morning to farming industry representatives, I know they share this view and the utmost vigilance is now needed from everyone.”
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