Biosecurity Intensification - North Yorkshire

I have just attended a meeting on behalf of the NFU to clarify the arrangements and timings for the introduction of radically enhanced biosecurity measures for farms in the area surrounding Thirsk and Easingwoldin N Yorks.While not all the finer details have been clarified, this e-mail is intended to give a more comprehensive picture of the arrangements.An Order has been drafted which lays down the basic requirements for cleansing and disinfection within the 'Blue' special infected area around Easingwold. In addition to this, certain vehicle movements will be subject to the terms of further licenses which are described in more detailed below. The exercise has already restricted the movement of livestock within the area around Thirsk. These requirements are extended effectively across North Yorkshire. The third element of the measures is a serological sweep which has already commenced to identify where reservoirs of infectivity lie within the sheep population of NorthYorks.relaxation of the measures below is dependent on the identification and removal of these reservoirs. DEFRA stated that the provisions of the Order will most likely be used as a model for improving disease control in other areas of the country. Distinction between Blue (SIA) and Red (Control) areas.
In both areas, there will be a general prohibition on movements of susceptible livestock, other than under special license (issued by DVM) or to slaughter. In both zones, there will be an extensive serological sweep. However, in the inner blue zone there will be addiitonal biosecurity requirements on farm premises and vehicles entering livestock farms.Some of these provisions will commence from this evening. General Requirements for Farm Premises Within the Blue Zone, the Order will make it an offence to enter or leave a farm premises unless you are clean. By clean the Order states that nobody should enter or leave with clothes grossly contaminated with mud, muck, slurry etc and that shoes/ boots should be cleansed and disinfected. In addition it will require all premises to install a footbath at the entrance to the farm and regularly replenish this with disinfectant.For the purposes of the Order, a farm premises is one which has, or has had susceptible livestock present in the last 56 days. This requirement is effective from this evening and will be enforced by Police/ Local TSO patrols from Monday. Requirements for Vehicles in Blue Zone
The Order will make it an offence to take any vehicle on to or off a livestock farm when the vehicle has not been properly cleansed and the wheels and wheel arches disinfected. This will apply to all vehicles,commercial or private. By Clean, the Order details removal of visible traces of mud, slurry, animal manure, or similar matter. This should be carried out at the point of entry. A number of delegates raised the problems faced by lack of suitable equipment at farm entrances. The Order does not specify the means by which this should be carried out,just the end result. However, we were told that piped water was something of a problem and farmers may be encouraged to lay on pipes from a suitable location to the farm entrance. More to come on this, however, in theory, this requirement applies from tonight with surveillance from Monday. Requirements for Milk Tankers
In addition to the above, any milk tanker entering the blue zone from outside will be required under the terms of specific licenses to cleanse and disinfect at one of (eventually) 8 sites within the blue zone and the same before leaving. The Order requires milk tankers to be accompanied by an Escort rider. These will be supplied by DEFRA. All vehicles entering the blue zone must be individually licensed. DEFRA could not provide details at this stage as to who would be responsible for issuing the licenses. In addition, tankers will be required to adhere to the existing provisions of Form D collection (under the DIF/FMG guidelines) and the requirement to cleanse and disinfect upon arrival and before leaving the farm premises. Dairy tankers may only exit the blue zone if they are returning direct to the dairy and may not collect from premises outside of the zone on the way back. Furthermore, DEFRA has taken powers to monitor cleansing and disinfection on return to the depots. Milk tankers have been singled out elsewhere as causing particular problems. These provisions will be in place on Tuesday and Escorts should be available from then.We hope to be able to provide FMG with licensing arrangements Monday am.Requirements for Feed and Grain Vehicles Similar principles apply for feed and grain lorries entering the bluezone – cleansing and disinfecting at an approved site and the same requirements upon entry to a livestock farm. Those vehicles solely entering an arable farm will not be required to go through these arrangements.DEFRA reserves the right to place escorts in vehicle cabs, but this is not a current requirement. In addition, in view of the number of vehicles involved in the harvest, licensing will be in the form of a General License(i.e.one that does not require you to apply for a piece of paper and is meerly a general authorisation to complete a task subject to certain requirements).UKASTA raised the issue about the high degree of subcontracting of vehicles for haulage and the difficulty in disseminating
 the new requirements to them, especially those from out of the area. DEFRA agreed this was an issue. We suggested that as farmers are the first port of call, this advice could be disseminated by the farmers in the area.The concern was also raised by the NFU that the requirements could be seen by some operators as too onerous and therefore not worth the expense of travelling into the area. All recognised this could be a problem,and depended on the good will of feed suppliers to come to the aid of farmers.The new provisions are temporary and the C & D at the approved centres(other than for current movements of livestock to slaughter) will be free of charge.Responsibility for providing Disinfectant It will be the responsibility of the farmer to provide disinfectant at the farm gate and for his own vehicles. However, the responsibility for other vehicles will lies with the drivers. A number of complex questions were raised about napsack sprayers and pressure washers. The Order does not specify how disinfectant should be dispensed and all agreed that it would be sensible for drivers to carry their own supply of disinfectant on the vehicle.'Other' Contractors I raised the issue of dissemination of information to services/engineers/electricity and the problems that are being encountered with poor biosecurity. DEFRA noted that farmers would be perfectly within their rights to turn anyone who did not C & D away to do it before coming on to the farm Footpaths The ROD in Leeds will be arranging for authoritative signposts to go on footpaths in the area. N Yorks CC has the authority to close footpaths in the area and I understand will do so (in the blue zone) Biosecurity of DEFRA Staff I raised the issue of ensuring that DEFRA and contracted staff adhered to the regimen. This was noted and a training exercise will take placeon Monday. Any solid, substantiated reports of poor biosecurity with date, place and time will be investigated.Welfare Movements I broached the issue of welfare movements, especially for pigs where wea ner units really need to move animals to finish. I noted that the major disease problem was in other livestock species and that pig units were essentially biosecure. This point was noted and DEFRA stated that species specific meetings, on autumn movements and the Thirsk BIAwould takeplace next week and this issue was likely to be considered then.Feedback DEFRA would like detailed feedback and questions from the NFU in order to compile a Q & A brief and in order to cover off any issues that may arise.DEFRA acknowledges that new issues will crop up with the evolution of these measures. Please can I have these ASAP from N East Region and others on Monday next week if possible.What the order will not cover.The Order will not require vehicles to be stopped at checkpoints entering the blue zone; border controls; or compulsory stickers on vehicle cabs. These were all thought to be too impractical, and potentially unsound in the case of vehicle stickers.I think that covers the lot. I have the draft order and informationsheet here. I also have a map of the area. Information will be postedon the DEFRA website ASAP.I can answer some questions, but I think in most instances DEFRA will be looking to us to bring issues to them next week.Can this go on NFU net and the word be spread around N East?