FMD measures scaled back

Despite a slight scaling back of some of the foot and mouth disease restrictions, Agriculture Minister, Phil Gawne MHK, is still calling for vigilance.

Three levels of bio-security remain in place, at the sea and air ports, some restrictions to access to the countryside and strong bio-security measures on farms.

Mr Gawne is calling on members of the farming community to comply with the measures introduced and for the public to continue to cooperate in helping prevent the spread of this devastating disease.

However, some rural events are being allowed to take place provided adequate protection measures are in place and they do not involve susceptible livestock. The Animal Health Division is able to provide advice and the event may require their sanction. They can be contacted on 685844.

Meanwhile in the UK, a temporary control zone has been established, as a precaution, around a farm in Kent. Tests are being conducted but the results will not be known until probably tomorrow. If the disease has spread it may require a further rethink on the need for vaccination of cattle in the Surrey/Kent area and other measures.