Haulage group gives foot and mouth guidance
Date: 08 August 2007
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has published the latest guidance relating to the transportation of animals, following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Following the confirmation of the disease on a farm in Surrey, strict measures have been put in place to ensure the outbreak is contained. This clearly impacts those haulage drivers involved with transporting meat and livestock.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that no live animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease can be dispatched from Great Britain. This includes cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Also, no live animals can be sent from EU member states to Britain.
The European Commission has specified that the following animal products of susceptible species can be exported from the UK: animal products produced before July 15th, 2007; products treated in such a way that would inactivate any virus (such as heat treatment); and those that were manufactured in Britain but came from animals elsewhere.
Also, consignments need to be officially certified. Defra is in the process of drawing up the necessary certificates. They can be obtained from local Animal Health Divisional Offices, and logistics companies can find the details at the Defra website.
From Northern Ireland, live animals and animal products can be dispatched as long as they have the necessary health certificate. Local veterinary authorities need to be given three days' advance warning.
Meanwhile it has emerged that the foot and mouth outbreak may have originated at a vaccine lab near the farm where the disease was first found.
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