RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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Renewed Foot and Mouth Fears for UK Hauliers
Within hours of the European Commission officially ending the ban on the movement of animals and animal products from Great Britain to other EU member states, another outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease has been reported. This time in Egham, Surrey; approximately 13 miles from the original outbreaks in England early in August.
This new outbreak represents another tremendous blow to livestock hauliers and to those transporting dairy-based food products - many of whom are still trying to get compensation from the 2001 outbreak.
The authorities are also investigating a suspected outbreak in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has imposed a national ban on the movement of cattle, sheep and pigs. Similar arrangements are being made in Scotland and Wales.
"Just as livestock hauliers where breathing a sigh of relief that the August outbreak had been contained, they have been dealt another blow," said RHA Manager for Livestock, Roger Wrapson.
"If there is any encouraging news at all, it has to that the immediate establishment of both a protection zone, with footpaths closed within it, and a national animal movement ban shows the determination of DEFRA to contain and eradicate this latest outbreak.''
The RHA will be informing members of the latest news regarding animal movements as and when it becomes available. Members are also advised to check http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/ on a regular basis.
