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So
it is the same FMD virus as in August,
and Scotland for the moment is in the clear
James Irvine
Teviot Scientific, Cultybraggan Farm, Comrie,
Perthshire
Filed 13 Sep 07
©www.land-care.org.uk
Preliminary tests indicate that it is the same
type of FMD virus that is responsible for yesterday's outbreak,
as in the outbreak that was confirmed on 3rd August.
That leads to the question as to whether there
has been a further lapse of biosecurity at the Pribright complex,
or whether somehow this is a continuation of the August outbreak
with no further leaks from Pirbright. While the latter is possible,
the former is perhaps the more probable on account of the time scale.
The implications for Pirbright are extremely serious.
But at least the speed of establishing key information
by applying available science is showing signs of improvement. And
yes, the authorities just made it by yesterday late evening, to
come up with negative tests for the suspect sheep at Lanark, Scotland.
It should have been even quicker.
This website has long maintained that the farming
livestock industry has been poorly advised by the veterinarians
whom the industry employs to represent their interests. They have
been adamant opponents to FMD vaccination. This was clearly articulated
as recently as the end of last month in a report published in the
Scottish Farmer.
But as a result, the UK livestock industry has
landed itself with a double whammy. It had just come out of movement
restrictions following a so-called vigilance and slaughter policy,
only to be back into another. And who knows, if they keep following
this policy, the same may happen again and again. as fundamental
flaws in the biosecurity of the Pirbright complex may be revealed.
Would it not have been better to use protective
ring vaccination, using the best of technology available globally,
and then argue effectively with the cumbersomely lethargic OIE over
their outdated rules?
That question has to be urgently posed right now.
Or will we be treated to the same Professor Hugh Pennington, popping
up and saying that:
"This can be contained by vigilant biosecurity
and local slaughter. We should wait to see if the infection spreads
before vaccination should be considered as a possibility"
Oh dear, I truly hope not to hear that ever again,
especially when the highly appropriate vaccine with a perfect match
is allegedly available right next door.
©www.land-care.org.uk
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