Foot and Mouth information from DEFRA
09-Aug-2007
Footpaths and bridleways
Footpaths and bridleways on infected premises are closed and the Chief Veterinary Officer has taken a decision to close the footpaths and bridleways in the first Protection Zone (PZ 1) – ie the Protection Zone which includes the Pirbright site and the first inspected premises.
This decision is based on the latest veterinary risk analysis and is in light of the number of cases in PZ 1 and the proximity to the main area under investigation. Also, a number of footpaths directly around infected holdings in PZ 2 have also been closed to ensure that operations at the sites can continue. The situation will be kept under review.
Tax help
HM revenue & Customs has today announced that it will help individuals and businesses finding it difficult to meet their tax obligations due to the FMD outbreak, including a deferment of taxes and duties where taxpayers are unable to pay as a result of severe difficulty. Details are contained in the GNN press release
New RSPCA Hotline
The RSPCA is offering a new telephone Farm Animal Welfare Hotline - 0870 753 8333 – to help farmers struggling to cope because of the current ban on moving any farm animals. Calls to the hotline will be handled by a dedicated team at the Society’s National Control Centre and, if necessary, passed onto frontline RSPCA staff to assess what help is needed. The RSPCA will give welfare advice, broker services between callers and those offering help and, if the issue cannot be resolved over the phone, frontline staff trained in both farm animal welfare and biosecurity may be able to visit and offer practical help.
The current disease situation and the activities to eradicate the disease are recorded on the Defra website, which is regularly updated.
