foot and mouth disease interview (PDF) - Royal Geographical Society

4. Are we still feeling the impacts of the outbreaks today?
Ask the Experts
The 2001 and 2007 outbreaks were not merely costly and damaging economically and socially; they also
marked a turning point in public attitudes to food production and have led to changes in Government
policy. Combined with Independent Reviews of the Government’s response to the outbreaks carried out
by Sir Iain Anderson and The Royal Society (which made a series of recommendations in the event of any
future outbreaks) the 2001 and 2007 outbreaks continues to shape the way in which livestock keepers
farm each and every day.
Firstly, the outbreaks have led to improved contingency planning and preparedness. The Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), for example, has a ‘Framework Response Plan’ setting out the
roles, responsibilities and procedures that should be put in place to manage an ‘exotic disease outbreak’
the moment there is a suspected case of disease. The FRP is regularly revised and subject to public
consultation prior to being laid before Parliament each year. Most recently, the FRP was used to prepare
for an outbreak of Avian Influenza.
Secondly, the outbreaks led to the implementation of a series of biosecurity measures – these are a set of
practices which, when followed collectively, reduce the potential for the introduction or spread of animal
disease onto and between farms. During FMD and in the event of further outbreaks, Defra advises that
farmers keep species of livestock separate where possible; be aware that sheep do not always show
obvious signs of disease but could inadvertently infect other animals; to keep everything clean (e.g. boots,
clothing, equipment, vehicles); and to ensure that disinfectant and cleaning materials are used at farm
entrances and exits.
Thirdly, traceability and providing a clearer picture of when and where livestock are moved and physically
located, through the use of bar codes, animal passports and ear tags has come into force. In September
1998, the Government launched a computerised Cattle Tracing System (CTS) to record the movements of
cattle from birth to death. CTS logs the movements of all cattle born or imported into Britain and issues
them with individual cattle passports. Electronic Identification (EID) for sheep came into force in 2009 and
means that sheep born on or after 31 December 2009 must now be electronically identified (unless they
are going to be slaughtered within 12 months of age). Pigs also need to be registered with Defra and a
movement licence completed before they are moved off a holding. These systems make it possible for
Defra to trace animals exposed to a disease risk and give assurances to buyers and the public about an
animal’s life history.
Fourthly, the outbreaks have led to new ways of thinking about how disease outbreaks are funded. Defra
currently spends £330 million each year on animal health and has to meet the additional costs of any
disease outbreaks in England, Scotland and Wales. The Coalition Government is currently developing
proposals to share the costs for dealing with disease with animal keepers. The Government has
established a ‘Responsibility and Cost Sharing Advisory Group’ to develop these proposals by December
2010 (they could include requiring animal keepers to take out insurance for example). In June 2010, Defra