This document was produced by MAFF as a specific response to the FMD outbreak in the UK in 2001 and was made available on their website. Risk Assessments and specific recommendations related to the conditions in the field at the time and should be viewed in this context as they may not be applicable to outbreaks occuring under different circumstances.
Foot and mouth disease
30 May 2001

FMD: Biosecurity - advice for cattle and sheep farmers

Summary of advice

Foot and mouth disease can be spread by:

• Direct contact with an infected animal
• Airborne spread from infected animal
• Indirectly by infected material carried on persons, clothing, vehicles, equipment, dogs (including sheepdogs), scavenging animals and vermin.

Cattle

• In cattle, foot and mouth disease is usually readily identifiable. Sheep do not always show obvious clinical signs of disease therefore may present a major risk to cattle as you may not be aware that they are infected.
• Housed cattle are at reduced risk and should, if possible, remain housed if there is any risk that, after turn-out, they could contact animals of unknown disease status.
• If you still have to turn cattle out the risk of contracting disease can be reduced;
• Try to keep cattle at least one empty field distant from any other stock. It is most important there cannot be close or direct contact between groups. You should discuss with your neighbour about the use of boundary or adjoining fields and check that fences are secure.
• Do not put cattle on pastures that have been grazed by sheep since mid February.
• Keep inspecting your stock for signs of disease. Discuss with your own vet if you have any concerns or contact MAFF if you suspect foot and mouth.

Hefted sheep

• Make every effort to keep the animals where they are without their welfare suffering.
• You can use set-aside if there is insufficient pastures. Your Regional Service Centre can advise on this.
• Only move sheep between hills and lowlands as a last resort.
• Arrangements may have to be made as below.

Visiting outlying livestock

• Movement controls mean that stock are still at outlying locations away from the main farm. Every time you visit such stock there is a real risk you may spread disease on yourself, your clothing, footwear, vehicles and equipment or other animals such as sheep dogs.
• Keep the number of these visits to an absolute minimum and wherever possible try to make alternative plans for specific people, who do not have contact with other livestock, to care for your animals.
• If you have to travel between sites treat each as a separate, secure unit and insist on everyone following strict rules on cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, clothing and equipment on leaving and arrival.
• Wherever possible only use equipment, boots and protective clothing that remains at each site.

These notes have been produced by British Cattle Veterinary Association, Sheep Veterinary Society, National Sheep Association, National Farmers Union and MAFF.