As of yesterday, Thursday 9th Aug, farmers are now permitted to move their farm animals to abbatoirs. This is the first time this has been sanctioned since the movement ban. The ban was enforced when the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth was discovered a little less than a week ago in Surrey.
This latest foot-and-mouth outbreak, the first of which was in 2001, has hit local farmers in the surrounding area harshly. One farmer, today (Friday) discovered that his animals did not contract the disease, after vast amounts of them were slaughtered to help prevent the possible spread of the disease. He was however, understanding at why the cattle had to disposed of, but was still upset at his loss.
Health inspectors are presently looking into the source of the disease. Of which they think may have originated from the Pilbright Research Site, which is home to Merial and state-run Animal Health, just North West of Guildford.
Information sought from
BBC NEWS and TaffyGun.
Livestock Movement Resumes.
