New FMD rules
Although Harrison & Hetherington, of
The company says it iss concerned about measures which are being introduced in March as well as proposals for consultation, which could come into effect this summer.
Included in measures to improve biosecurity are:
* A stipulation that auction market operators will be required to sign a formal undertaking to comply with strict operating procedures.
* A separation in both time and space between slaughter markets and other livestock markets.
Also of concern are proposals which include a ban on animals being kept on market premises overnight, to come into force on August 1. The Government is also to commission research into the impact of dealers on the pattern of livestock movements and the possibility of imposing a distance limit of 150km (90 miles) on the movement of animals through markets.
Harrison & Hetherington sales and marketing director David Thomlinson said: "The six-day rule is a big improvement in itself and is extremely welcome. "But underlying this, in the initial information we have received from DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is that markets will have to comply with strict operating procedures and have a separation period between slaughter and other livestock markets from March 4. Currently we have no further information on these measures." Mr Thomlinson said the proposals on animals not being kept at markets overnight and the suggestion of a mileage limit on livestock movements could cripple the live auction system.
"An auction mart is the ideal place to control the movement of livestock, but these proposals do not appear to have taken this into account," he said.
The company says proposals from DEFRA which will add cost to markets and producers include cleansing and disinfecting vehicles and increased veterinary involvement. The new arrangements announced also include a readiness to increase the length of the standstill back to 20 days if the threat of disease increases, as recommended in the Royal Society report. The announcement follows the emerging findings from risk assessments commissioned by DEFRA in the light of recommendations made last July by the Lessons Learned and Royal Society Inquiries. The six-day standstill will be reviewed at the end of May.
