UK further relieves pig transport bans
Great Britain has relieved its strict animal transport restrictions as further tests indicated that the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak has not spread.
The British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that animals can be transported again from one place to another when necessary.
In addition, animals can be transported from breeding facilities to fattening houses. The ministry hopes to alleviate the rules even further by the end of the week, provided that no extra outbreaks are reported.
Earlier, animals were allowed again to be sent for slaughter to certified abattoirs.
Discovery
Two weeks ago, two cases of FMD were discovered in the English county of Surrey.
Research indicated that the virus could have spread from one of two nearby laboratories were experimenting with a live strain in order to create a vaccine.
Related website:
• British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
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