New FMD measures proposed

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Fordyce Maxwell Rural Affairs Editor in the Scotsman

THE Scottish Landowners Federation has proposed a number of measures which, it claims, would ensure that any future outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease would be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Andrew Douglas, chairman of the federation’s agriculture committee, said yesterday: "The mêlée of mixed messages, confusing information and conflicting demands and expectations that characterised much of the 2001 epidemic must not be repeated."

That meant that the Scottish Executive’s contingency plan must provide a framework to minimise the risk of disease and maximise eradication efficiency.

Introducing the SLF’s submission on the Scottish Executive’s proposed contingency plan, Douglas said that it seemed to set out the process and areas of responsibility for dealing with a major disease outbreak.

But not enough attention was given to direct communication with those directly affected.

Measures proposed by the SLF include: tough import regulations to minimise the risk of disease; an immediate livestock movement ban throughout the UK as soon as disease is confirmed; bio-security measures, based on full risk assessment and cost benefit analysis; emergency procedures agreed by all relevant stakeholders and tested in practice.

THE Cumbria foot-and-mouth report was published yesterday with 31 recommendations for the government.

Cumbria was the hardest-hit region of the UK with more than one million animals slaughtered on more than 3,000 farms. The committee of inquiry, initiated by the county council and chaired by Professor Phil Thomas, former principal and chief executive of the Scottish Agricultural College, concentrated on evidence from those directly affected.

The main conclusion is, predictably, that the FMD epidemic was badly handled. It also concludes that the government has failed to learn any lessons.

It claims that the draft contingency plan, put out to consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is inadequate and needs "very substantial revision".

It also says that bio-security at points of entry to Britain from overseas has improved but is still not good enough when control of legal and illegal imports of meat are a key consideration in avoiding any future FMD outbreak.

It recommends that the government establish an independent working party to develop a strategy for defence against a future foot-and-mouth outbreak.
                        

Originally from: Joyce
                        
We need less global panic....those that wish to live in a sterile environment please leave on the next shuttle for the moon...or preferably further afield. Joyce