What’s new?
13 September 2007
Another Foot and Mouth outbreak hits Surrey
Effects and advice on visiting Trust nature reserves with grazing animals
Just days after the surveillance zone was lifted in Surrey, following the August outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), news of another outbreak was confirmed from cattle at premises near Egham in Surrey. It is a serious blow for all those involved with the countryside and in particular for the hard-pressed livestock farmers.
A GB-wide national movement ban, affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants, has been put in place, with limited movements allowed under strict biosecurity arrangements to deal with immediate welfare issues, according to the latest bulletin from Defra.
The Wildlife Trusts are concerned about the impact of the latest outbreak on the farming industry and fear for the future of the more vulnerable farms and businesses. The Trusts are particularly worried about the potential impact on the vital management of the countryside that these farmers and livestock carry out.
Grazing is essential for wildlife-friendly management of the countryside, which is why The Wildlife Trusts own so many animals and use them to manage our reserves. We also encourage farmers to bring their livestock onto our 82,000 hectare landholding across the UK, to work in partnership to help wildlife. Anything that jeopardises farmers in turn jeopardises our work.
John Cousins, Head of Agriculture Policy, says "The return of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey is a worrying development. We hope that the disease can be brought under control promptly and efficiently and that all steps are taken to ensure the disease is eradicated as soon as possible. We want to see the countryside return to normal at the earliest opportunity. The Wildlife Trusts will do what they can to support farmers in overcoming these problems. We are very conscious that the vital relationship between livestock and the environment must be protected. This is essential if we are to create A Living Landscape where farming, wildlife and access to the countryside can co-exist.”
The Wildlife Trusts are taking steps to observe the following restrictions, in addition to the statutory restrictions in place. The Trusts recommends its members, as well as visitors to our reserves, to do the same until further information on the outbreak is available:
- Avoid access to all Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves with grazing sheep or cattle
- Avoid all farm visits and not go onto any farm unannounced or uninvited
- Avoid attending or organising farm walks or functions near to livestock
The latest information on the current situation with foot and mouth disease is available on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/
The following reserves in our area are being grazed with cattle and/or sheep: