On the basis of the initial laboratory results Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease. In accordance with the legislation and contingency planning arrangements all the cattle on the premises will be culled. A Protection Zone of three kilometers radius and a Surveillance Zone of 10 kilometers has been placed around the premises, and a GB wide national movement ban of all ruminants and pigs has been imposed.

Nationally no animal movements are allowed except under licence, controls are in place on movement of animal carcasses, animal gatherings, shearing and dipping are restricted, and all farms must increase levels of biosecurity. In both the Protection and Surveillance Zones, there will be requirements for increased levels of biosecurity on farms, movement controls, controls on transportation of dung/manure and treatment of animal products to ensure destruction of the FMD virus.

The farm itself has been under restrictions since late on Thursday evening when symptoms were reported to the local Animal Health office. A 1 km temporary restriction zone was placed around the premises earlier today whilst investigations and testing were completed, in line with domestic and EU legislation.

Until such a time as extent of this infection is realised, Border Collie Rescue will be applying biosecurity precautions to all dogs coming into our care from UK farms and rural communities in line with our procedures during the 2001 outbreak.

We will also be applying biosecurity precautions on all premises we use and operate from in line with our 2001 procedures.

Although we will continue to operate normally at this time we will make preparations to re-instate our Farm Dog Rescue Program and F&M register following discussions with DEFRA and Veterinary advisors.

It is our most earnest wish that the authorities are successful in preventing the spread of the disease and that it will not be necessary for us to implement a similar program to the 2001 operation