NBA encourages industry to uphold FMD movement controls

The National Beef Association has told its members that the most important contribution they can make to minimise the impact of the latest FMD outbreak is to strictly uphold the total restriction on all livestock movement until Defra is sure it has identified the location, and scale, of confirmed cases.
The Association reports that up to yesterday (Sunday) evening no new cases beyond the original Infected Premises (IP) in Surrey had been confirmed. 

However there have already been eight instances where stock had been moved illegally and others are suspected. “FMD is spread by contact and if this new outbreak is to be contained, and then extinguished, all livestock farmers in Great Britain must contribute by holding stock where it stands until permission to move is given,” said NBA director, Kim Haywood.

The NBA is urging Defra to approve licensed movement direct to slaughter in all appropriate areas as soon as circumstances allow.
“It is important that the beef supply chain is reinstated as soon as it is safe to do so and Defra officials have said they are ready to do this as soon as it is safe,” said Ms Haywood.

”In the meantime finishers, and all other livestock farmers, must be patient and wait for the signal that movement to slaughter under licence has been approved, the exact areas for which it has been approved, and details of the licensing system have been made clear.”

For more information contact:

Kim Haywood, NBA director.   Tel. 0131 336 1754