Foot and Mouth Disease update - ban lifted on slaughter animals to Scotland

The ban on livestock from Northern Ireland going to Scotland directly to slaughter has been relaxed under certain conditions.

Based on Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (DARD) own veterinary risk assessment, animals for slaughter may move direct to an approved slaughter plant in Scotland, provided the consignment is accompanied by a DARD Export Health Certificate, which is available from local Divisional Veterinary Offices (DVOs). The move has been agreed between DARD and Scotland and applies to exports of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs for immediate slaughter only.

All consignments must also be accompanied by a General Import Licence and an Internal Movement Licence issued by the Scottish Government.

After animals have been off-loaded at the approved slaughter plant and before the vehicle leaves the premises, the vehicle must be treated so that all surfaces including the loading ramp which livestock have had contact have been cleansed and disinfected. In addition, driver footwells, access steps to the vehicle, pedals and mats must be cleansed and disinfected before any return journey is undertaken. This must be entered in the haulier records in accordance with Article 10 of Commission Decision 2007/554/EC (As amended).

Physical and documentary checks will be made on all returning vehicles:

• Any vehicle found to be unclean in the opinion of a DARD Portal Inspector shall be re-exported to Scotland.
• With immediate effect, if a declaration of disinfection has not been appropriately made in the haulier records, the vehicle shall be re-exported to Scotland.
• The Department retains the right to apply additional disease control measures to vehicles.

The ban on the movement of breeding and production animals from Northern Ireland going to Scotland remains in place. A ban remains on all animals from Northern Ireland going to England and Wales. This position will be kept under review.

Following yesterday’s Commission Decision (2007/608/EC), DARD has amended its legislation and issued revised guidance to key stakeholders. Minor modifications have been made to the certification documentation to reflect these amendments. These can be accessed via the DARD website.

The current disease situation in England is that a second case of FMD has been confirmed at Egham in Surrey where slaughter on suspicion was completed yesterday.

DARD has reviewed the situation and is satisfied that the existing precautionary measures that are in place here continue to be appropriate. DARD officials have traced and examined over 70 consignments of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs which had been imported directly from Britain since 23 August. All examinations have been negative. None of the consignments have come from the Surrey area.

DARD continues to liaise closely with Defra, other Devolved Administrations and with the Department of Agriculture and Food in Dublin to monitor the situation.

DARD wishes to remind farmers and the rural community that they must remain vigilant and maintain strong bio-security. Any suspicion of disease must be reported immediately to your private vet or local Divisional Veterinary Office.

Northern Ireland remains a foot and mouth free zone.

If you require foot and mouth advice or have any concerns you can telephone DARD’s helpline on 02890524999 or access information online

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Transport of Animals and Poultry (Cleansing and Disinfection) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (SR 2007 No.279) lays down the statutory requirements for the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles used in transporting animals.

2. Commission Decision (2007/554/EC) (As amended) lays down certain protection measures against Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom.

3. Further information is available on the DARD website . Information on the internal movement controls for England, Scotland and Wales are on the following websites:

· England
· Scotland
· Wales

4. DARD is also writing to all hauliers reminding them of their responsibilities with regard to cleansing and disinfection of vehicles.

5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.