08/08/07
The announcement that licensed movement of pigs in England and
Wales from farm direct to abattoir will be permitted from Midnight,
Wed 8 August, was greeted as fantastic news by British Pig Executive
Chief Executive Mick Sloyan.
Defra has announced that cattle, sheep and pigs outside the
Foot and Mouth Surveillance and Protection Zones will be permitted
to move direct to slaughter under a general license from Midnight.
Livestock must travel direct from individual farms to authorised
abattoirs and vehicles must be cleansed and disinfected before
leaving the abattoir.
Mick Sloyan said: "this is great news for pig farmers and
great news for consumers.
"It means the vast majority of pigs can move into the processing
sector and relieve mounting pressure on farms.
"There is still a long way to go to get the market back
to normal, but this is an important first step.
"We must not forget that we are still in a foot and mouth
disease outbreak and I urge producers, transporters and abattoirs
to remain extremely vigilant and to implement the highest standards
of biosecurity."
Technical queries can be addressed by contacting the Defra helpline
08459 335577 or by contacting BPEX's Knowledge Transfer Team
whose contact details can be found on the BPEX website.
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