FMD GB movement ban to lift outside risk area and new measures to relieve pressure within the Bluetongue zones

Markets within the Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones will be permitted from midnight Sunday 14 October. The movement of susceptible animals from within the Control and Protection Zones to approved slaughterhouses outside the Bluetongue Zones will also be permitted from this time. Conditions apply and markets within the FMD Risk Area will remain closed.

From Monday, slaughterhouses outside the Bluetongue Zones will be able to apply to the Meat Hygiene Service to be approved to take susceptible animals for slaughter from within the Control and Protection Zones, provided they can fulfil specified criteria.

Movements of susceptible animals to approved slaughterhouses will also be subject to certain conditions, to minimise the risk of disease spread. These changes, as with all aspects of disease control measures, have been discussed and developed with the Core Group of industry stakeholders.

Defra also announced:

* the intention to lift the Foot and Mouth Protection Zone in Surrey on Wednesday 17th October provided there is no change to the disease situation. This decision has been taken following extensive surveillance in the area, and is in line with EU rules.

* the intention to lift all movement restrictions in England, outside of the FMD Risk Area, to coincide with the lifting of the Protection Zone.

The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Fred Landeg, also confirmed that the Surveillance Zone will remain in place until at least November 5, to allow for comprehensive surveillance to be completed. The Foot and Mouth Risk Area will also remain, but the size of this area and the movement restrictions currently imposed are subject to continual review. These discussions will bear in mind the importance of completing the necessary surveillance in the area with the aim of full disease-freedom being achieved as soon as possible.

Mr Landeg, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, said:

"We are well aware of the economic impacts of movement restrictions and the removal of the GB movement ban, outside of the FMD Risk Area, should help the farming industry start to get back to business-as-usual. The resumption of markets and movements to a larger number of slaughterhouses should also ease the impact felt by farmers within the Bluetongue zones.

"Throughout the outbreak we have acted on the evidence, keeping controls proportionate to the disease risk. We will continue to work in partnership with the farming industry to review the size the movement restrictions in place to look at any measures we can take to relieve the burden on farmers and businesses wherever the risk level permits. "

The core group of industry stakeholders said:

"We welcome this announcement and are grateful for all the work that has been done to make progress in reaching this important stage".