Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced a major review of the safeguards in place to cut the risks of future animal disease outbreaks.
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The review will look at:
how the current outbreak of foot and mouth began and what can be learned from this;
the current enforcement and control measures that are in place;
the implications of increased world travel, the globalisation of trade and modern farming methods on issues of disease control.
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By GlobalDataSpeaking at his daily briefing on the progress in tackling the epidemic, Mr Brown said:
“The first priority for this Ministry and our veterinary service – which is being assisted from vets from around the world – is the eradication of foot and mouth as quickly as possible.
“But for the longer-term I want to look very carefully at whether changes in the pattern of trade and increases in movements are making the country more susceptible to animal disease.
“I am looking for a thorough review of the issues to see whether changes need to be made and more controls need to be put in place.
“This also applies to enforcement of controls; whatever the cause of foot and mouth disease – and classical swine fever – it is likely to be the result of somebody, knowingly or not, acting illegally.”
Mr Brown added that he had secured rapid EU Commission approval to the payment of the £156m agri-monetary payments compensation announced on 27 February and that farmers would receive these sums earlier than expected. Full details will be announced next week.
just-food.com published a feature on foot and mouth. To read it, click here.
