Update as at 28 November 2007

There have been no new announcements since the following:

Foot and Mouth controls after 19 November

Following extensive surveillance work, veterinary risk assessment and there having been no further cases of FMD discovered, Defra lifted the FMD Restricted Zone on Monday 19 November, and from this date, new FMD Export Areas and an updated movement regime came into force when the new EU Commission Decision on exports of meat from FMD susceptible animals was adopted.

Check the map to find out which FMD Export Area you are in (available via the Foot and Mouth movements guidance page) and which controls now apply.

We are aware that a lot of changes have taken place recently and if you are in any doubt about any of these changes please contact your local Animal Health Office or Trading Standards in your Local Authority.

Update as at 14.30 30 October 2007

Since the changes to the zones on the 21st of October as detailed below, there have been no further outbreaks of FMD.  Defra is currently examining the extention of the relaxation of domestic stock export to include venison from wild sources however there is unlikely to be any change to the situation for some time.

Update as at 08.30 22 October 2007

Major changes to zones. Following extensive surveillance work, veterinary risk assessment (33 KB) and there having been no further cases of FMD discovered, Defra has taken the decision to reduce the size of the FMD Restriction Zone effective from 00.01 hours Sunday 21 October. 

Foot and Mouth Disease - updated at 12.00 13 October 2007

Hunting and shooting

As of 12 October the following pursuits are permitted within the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone in England:

• Hunting any drag or other trail
• Stalking
• Shooting deer

Further information can be found online at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/animals/diseases/foot-and-mouth/ 

A general Licence can be downloaded here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/exd354-121007.pdf

Summary of Outbreak

On 12 September Foot and Mouth Disease was confirmed at a farm in Surrey. A single Protection Zone has been put in place around the land of this farm, with a Surveillance Zone of 10 kilometres radius beyond that. Since then, further Infected Places have been confirmed on other local farms and the zones have been amended accordingly. Affected animals have been culled. Laboratory results confirmed that the virus strain is the same as that found in August, namely 01 BFS 67.

A national movement ban - affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants - was imposed throughout England, with parallel arrangements in Scotland and Wales. No movements are allowed, except under licence. Further movements of animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease direct to slaughter are permitted, under strict biosecurity conditions, from outside the Surveillance Zone in England.

All farms - particularly those in the Protection and Surveillance Zones - must implement increased biosecurity.

Map of Great Britain with Foot and Mouth Risk Areas and Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones. [PDF] (905 KB)

To read the archive of bulletins - click here

Movement

On 25 September, two FMD risk areas - Risk Area and Low Risk Area and a Bluetongue Temporary Area were put in place. This is part of an integrated and risk based approach to deal with the current situation on FMD and Bluetongue and some easing of movement controls in the FMD Low Risk Area.  Different movement controls apply in the FMD Risk Area and the Bluetongue Temporary Area. For information on movement in the Blue tongue area check the Blue tongue page.

How this effects deer in England and Wales

Stalking and shooting of deer is prohibited without a license granted by the Secretary of State:

• However the occupier of any land, members of his household, persons employed by him as beaters and any member of a shooting party of not more than 3 persons authorised by him may shoot deer on that land, without a license.

1. Treated and untreated carcases of deer killed for human consumption can be moved off the premises of origin for movement to the game larder and/or a Game Handling Establishment (GHE) and from any premises through the usual wholesale/retail premises as necessary to the end consumer. They may NOT be exported.

2. Farmed deer can be sent to approved slaughterhouses. Click here for details on approved slaughterhouses.

In the Protection Zone and the Surveillance Zone the movement of wild and farmed deer carcases for human consumption is prohibited.

3. Carcasses not intended for human consumption or any part of that carcass (including trophies) cannot be moved off the premises of origin. We recommend that the viscera, head and feet of a healthy carcass (following the hunter's inspection) may be left at the point of shot, either on the surface or buried depending on what is appropriate in the area.

How this affects deer in Scotland

Restrictions preventing the movement of deer carcasses in Scotland following the case of Foot and Mouth in Surrey have now been lifted.

Whole or parts of a deer carcass can now be moved.

However, conditions apply to the movement of carcasses as follows:

Any person transporting a deer carcass must:

1. Do so in a drip proof container or vehicle
2. Clean and disinfect the vehicle as soon as possible after unloading.

Restrictions to the number of people who can go stalking still apply as follows:

A maximum of three guests accompanying estate staff to shoot deer can be done without a licence. Shooting in larger groups can only be carried out under licence and licences are not currently being issued. When available these can be obtained from your local animal health office:

• Ayr 01292 291350
• Galashiels 01896 758806
• Inverness 01463 253098
• Inverurie 01467 626300
• Perth 01738 602211