Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: Re: Article on FMD Vaccine.

Originally from: Farmtalking

Hi Chris!

I find it utterly amazing that the questions concerning vaccinated meat and the efficacy of FMD vaccine still remain. I guess there are none so blind as those who will not see!

It is well known that at a meeting at Chequers in April 2001 it was established that the supermarkets had no problem with FMD vaccinated products. See the reports in the following link –

http://farmtalking.com/eu fenton docs.htm

The EU Control Directive published in 1985 as designed to protect FMD free status but did allow for emergency vaccination!

http://farmtalking.com/eu directive control.html

From: ...

Originally from the following you will note that after Uruguay eradicated their outbreak via vaccination in 2001 the EU gave permission for them to resume exports of their vaccinated meat and we have consumed it ever since!

http://farmtalking.com/news uruguay.htm

It is also well known that at the present time there are some 32 vaccines regularly used by farmers to protect their stock from disease.

It is also well known that farmers in the UK and elsewhere, are more than capable and frequently do, vaccinate their stock themselves.

See the report from the Brazilian rancher towards the end of the following link –

http://farmtalking.com/vax brazil rancher.htm

The meat produced from these vaccinated animals is consumed by the population daily and we were made aware by Bryn early in 2001 of the many thousands of tons of Brazilian FMD vaccinated meat the UK imports every year.

As for the efficacy of FMD vaccination in sheep please see the following link –

http://farmtalking.com/art science watkins.html

Perhaps if copies of all the above were given to each of the stakeholders it would help to put their minds at rest with regard to vaccination?

I do hope so!

I think the biggest stumbling block to resolving all this is nothing more serious than simple pride. It is so hard for all of us, once a mistake has been made, to admit we were wrong, apologise, and then do everything we can to put it right.

The tendency to think it’s safer to stick to our previously held beliefs, however misguided they were, remains paramount. If only it could be understood that an admission guilt and a concerted effort to change things for the better brings respect and admiration.

Nothing can bring back the slaughtered animals, lost farms or taxpayer’s money, let alone mend the broken hearts resultant from 2001 but the adoption of a vaccination policy would go a very long way to restore faith and elicit forgiveness.

This is the 21st Century! All the time we continue to have a slaughter policy in preference to a very efficacious vaccine, we not only look stupid but mean and cruel as well! Especially while other countries vaccinate and export their meat to us!

With the increased incidences of FMD all over the world we know the adoption of a vaccination policy with an 85% take up eradicates the disease and we should go for it!

Best wishes and good luck! – Jane

Author wrote:
Dear all,
I have e-mailed all of DEFRA's FMD Stakeholder Communications Group with the
mesage (in Italics) below, with the FMD Vaccine article attached and NFU
comment coloured in red . We meet in early September. I do have a few ideas how to
break this cycle, but would love to hear from any one else who has any
suggestions. Many of the staff and most or all of the Stakeholders in the
above-named group are extremely sympathetic to this aim, so suggestions please.
We will need to find answers to the problem raised by the large exporting
companies, like Cadburys and Nestle, that even if they know that there is no
problem arising from vaccinated product, what is to stop one of their competitors
abroad using any perceptible sleight for trade advantage purposes ; even
assuming that we get the UK sorted [big 'if' but hopefully do-able], it will all
come unstuck again on this. Please rack yer brains, as this is the biggest
stumbling block left.
Contributions on how to sort the UK situation also welcomed, bearing in mind
that many producers, processors, and retailers do not wish to dwell over-much
on existing vaccine-use, so emphasising comparative safety by reference to
something perhaps best rapidly glossed over is difficult – hard to believe the
NFU would be so stupid as to play with fire in a powder-keg.
I think it is also true to say that there are no serious plans to vaccinate
sheep next time; John Thorley (National Sheep Association) is implacably
opposed to vaccination – proposes instead that sheep should be left up the mountain/
pushed to outlying ground, and then blood tested later. DEFRA seem to be in
agreement with this, which may mean what it says, or it may just mean that John
is retiring soon, say anything, then kill next time as sheep producers do not
want vacc -- there is not a lot can be done with a vaccinated ovine carcass
other than cook it quickly, so I have suggested mobile field kitchens to
produce large-scale product for HM Prisons, Armed Forces, Schools, Welfare and
charity applications etc -- so far no notice taken, will raise it again (obviously
purchase and acquisition contracts would need a 'national emergency' override
clause).
Dear all,
please find attached a recent Press cutting of central relevance to our
task.
The circularity (chicken / egg) could be endless – producers pre-empting
non-existing baseless consumer fears and possibly thereby generating the very
same. How are we going to break the cycle?
Could I suggest that we bring proposals for solving this most knotty of
problems to our next meeting. I have a few ideas, some almost ready for Press
release.
Sincerely,
Chris (Stockdale).