Foot and mouth restrictions unwind today

- Published: 17 October, 2007

Farmers in most of the UK will today be able to move animals freely.

Movement restrictions have been lifted outside of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) risk area, which covers the southern counties of West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Herfordshire, Oxfordshire, Greater London and Buckinghamshire.

Defra has also removed the FMD protection zone in Surrey from today, although the surveillance zone will remain until at least 5 November.

The deputy chief veterinary officer, Fred Landeg, said the size of the FMD risk area and the movement restrictions currently imposed are subject to continual review. These discussions will bear in mind the importance of completing the necessary surveillance in the area with the aim of full disease-freedom being achieved as soon as possible.