POST import testing !!!

Sorry -- can someone PLEASE explain to me why these beasts are being tested
once they are here and not before they leave? Complete stupidity AGAIN

Is the NFU not warning you all NOT to import from stupidly dangerous areas
like this --- the NFUS are !!! and in no uncertain terms.

Poultry have to be tested BEFORE they leave country of origin !!!

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2007/12/17/bluetongue-virus-farm-is-revealed-84229-20260277/
Bluetongue virus: Farm is revealed
Dec 17 2007 by Mike Morgan, Evening Gazette
A FARM at Great Ayton has been identified as the source of the latest
bluetongue cattle disease outbreak.
The virus was found in a cow imported from Germany, which has now been
culled at Woodhouse Farm, Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough.
Farmer Stuart Fletcher spoke to the BBC and said he was upset after a case
of the disease was discovered in his herd.
He said he had been importing cows for a number of years as he feared the
spread of bovine TB in the UK, but added he did not want to speak publicly
about the incident although he did tell the BBC that he felt "very bad"
about the situation.
Mr Fletcher was not available for comment at his farm today.
However, following the Gazette's earlier story on the outbreak in Saturday's
newspaper, a spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra) said there is no change in the situation and the disease has
not, at present, spread.
She said: "It involves just one animal and there is no evidence that the
disease is spreading in the area at this time. There are no extra
restrictions at the moment.
"This was an imported animal which has now been culled.
"The situation is under control, however other animals in the herd are being
tested as a precaution."
She said it is not policy to officially confirm or deny the identity of the
farm involved in the outbreak. The cow had been imported from Lower Saxony
in Germany and the virus was confirmed through post-import testing carried
out on all animals entering the UK.
In the past year the virus has affected livestock across Germany, Belgium,
France, Luxembourg and Holland.
A Defra spokesman said that under EU bluetongue regulations susceptible
animals can be moved out of restricted zones into free zones.
This can happen providing official vets certify all the conditions have been
met.
The incident at Great Ayton is the 12th case of bluetongue confirmed in the
UK since the autumn.
The disease can be spread by midges which can affect other animals and
farms.

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


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