With a second farm being confirmed with Foot and Mouth disease in the UK the following announcement came from the British Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds:

“My assessment is that these licensed moves outside of the Protection and Surveillance Zones present a low risk provided the conditions are strictly followed. I continue to urge all farmers to take the highest level of biosecurity measures and to follow the conditions of these licences in every respect.

“I have today ordered culling on suspicion of Foot and Mouth Disease on one farm adjacent to the second infected premises in the Protection Zone confirmed yesterday. Test results this morning have revealed that the strain of the virus found on the second infected premises is 01 BFS67-like strain. This is the same as the strain identified on the first farm on 4th August .This is a developing situation, and our surveillance activity is on-going.”

Movements and collections will only be permitted to take place in accordance with strict licensing conditions, including biosecurity measures on-farm, in transport, and at abattoirs. Only those abattoirs that meet the specific conditions requiring stringent biosecurity, and which have appropriate Meat Hygiene Service inspection and supervision, will be permitted to accept livestock for slaughter."

One can only hope, for the sake of the farmers in Britain and neighbouring countries that this disease can be contained and that we will not see a revisit to the last outbreak which cripled the farming industries in 2001.