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Animal movement bans to be eased | Animal movement bans to be eased |
(10 minutes later) | |
Farmers subject to bluetongue disease restrictions will be able to take their animals to slaughterhouses and markets from Monday, the government has said. | |
Movement will be allowed in the control and protection areas in East Anglia and Essex, subject to certain conditions. | Movement will be allowed in the control and protection areas in East Anglia and Essex, subject to certain conditions. |
Defra also plans to lift the movement ban in low-risk foot-and-mouth areas on 17 October. | |
It comes as the EU allows meat imports from Scotland, Wales and parts of England following the two outbreaks. | It comes as the EU allows meat imports from Scotland, Wales and parts of England following the two outbreaks. |
In addition, the Surrey foot-and-mouth protection zone will be lifted on Wednesday and become part of the surveillance zone. | In addition, the Surrey foot-and-mouth protection zone will be lifted on Wednesday and become part of the surveillance zone. |
The changes assume there is no further development of foot-and-mouth in the meantime. | The changes assume there is no further development of foot-and-mouth in the meantime. |
The EU move applies to farms at low risk of both diseases, which excludes parts of south-east England and East Anglia. | The EU move applies to farms at low risk of both diseases, which excludes parts of south-east England and East Anglia. |
But farmers say restrictions they must comply with are so complicated that only a minority can take advantage. | But farmers say restrictions they must comply with are so complicated that only a minority can take advantage. |
Exports were banned after the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August. | Exports were banned after the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August. |
All farms outside of an area which takes in south-east England and the Home Counties - deemed a "foot-and-mouth risk area" - and outside of bluetongue control areas - taking in Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire - are now allowed to export meat to the EU. | All farms outside of an area which takes in south-east England and the Home Counties - deemed a "foot-and-mouth risk area" - and outside of bluetongue control areas - taking in Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire - are now allowed to export meat to the EU. |
'Enormous problems' | |
The National Farmers' Union estimates the farming sector has lost more than £100m since the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August. | The National Farmers' Union estimates the farming sector has lost more than £100m since the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August. |
NFU president Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union, welcomed the lifting of restrictions. | |
He said: "The restrictions across the country have been causing enormous problems for the whole marketing of livestock. | |
RESTRICTED AREAS Foot-and-mouth risk areas: West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Greater London and BuckinghamshireFMD low risk area: The rest of England, Wales and ScotlandBluetongue controls: Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire Farmer's diary | |
"It is a step forward but there is still more to do. Without properly functioning markets, prices have been devastatingly low." | |
A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone - inside which all movement is banned - is currently in place around foot-and-mouth infected premises, all in the Egham area in Surrey. | A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone - inside which all movement is banned - is currently in place around foot-and-mouth infected premises, all in the Egham area in Surrey. |
The zone is set to be merged on Wednesday with the 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone that surrounds it where lesser restrictions apply. | The zone is set to be merged on Wednesday with the 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone that surrounds it where lesser restrictions apply. |
On Thursday, fresh cases of the bluetongue virus were confirmed in Essex. | On Thursday, fresh cases of the bluetongue virus were confirmed in Essex. |
The protection zone - from Lincolnshire to East Sussex - was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak. | The protection zone - from Lincolnshire to East Sussex - was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak. |
Stricter 20km (12-mile) control zones have been set up in East Anglia and Essex around known bluetongue cases. | Stricter 20km (12-mile) control zones have been set up in East Anglia and Essex around known bluetongue cases. |
Farmers within the protection zone are currently allowed to move animals only within its boundaries. | |
From midnight Sunday, markets within both zones and movement to approved slaughterhouses outside the zones will be allowed. | |
Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below. | Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below. |
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