As you may be aware, the requirements for the control and management of FMD are in the process of being updated to accommodate the current status of the disease in the country as well as the envisaged vaccination roll-out. The new requirements are in the process of finalisation and will be made available as soon as possible.
Some FMD management and control requirements that have been in place will be amended in the new requirements. In order to ease restrictions on affected farmers as soon as possible, the Veterinary Working Group has agreed on the following amended guidelines that can be implemented as from the date of this letter, pending the formal amendment of the requirements for the control and management of FMD.
Please note that this letter does not replace any other parts of the 2024 FMD Contingency Plan.
1. Identification of infected and vaccinated animals
1.1 On farms/premises that are infected or suspected of being infected, all cloven-hoofed animals must be individually identified and recorded in a database that will ensure livelong traceability.
1.2 On farms/premises that are NOT infected or suspected of being infected, all vaccinated cloven-hoofed animals must be individually identified and recorded in a database that will ensure livelong traceability.
1.3 No F branding will be required for suspect/infected and/or vaccinated animals.
2. Controlled slaughter from FMD quarantined premises
2.1 For slaughter earlier than 3 months after Day 0, the current requirements and risk mitigation for slaughter at designated abattoirs remain in place.
2.2 From 3 months after Day 0, controlled slaughter from quarantined premises can take place at any registered non export abattoir.
2.3 After 3 months post Day 0, meat must be subject to maturation, but there will be no further risk mitigation and no loss of parts of the carcass.
2.4 No animals that originate from properties under restriction for FMD may be slaughtered for the export market, unless expressly agreed to by the importing country. SUBJECT: FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTROL – AMENDMENT OF REQUIREMENTS
3. Movement of milk from quarantined and/or vaccinated farms
3.1 For the movement of milk from quarantined farms, only single pasteurisation will be required for local consumption.
3.2 Milk that originates from properties under restriction for FMD may not be processed for the export market, unless expressly agreed to by the importing country.
3.3 There will be no veterinary restrictions on milk from FMD vaccinated animals from farms/premises that are not under quarantine and that are not infected or suspected of being infected with FMD.
