Policy paper

Foot and mouth disease control strategy for Great Britain

Published 24 July 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Introduction

Purpose and structure of the document

This document describes:

• how any suspect case or outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) would be managed in Great Britain (Wales, Scotland and England, not including Northern Ireland)
• the measures to be applied within the framework of national law
• the measures and wider framework in place for reducing the risk of an incursion of FMD

The strategy provides information on the policies we will apply so that you can prepare to quickly and effectively control FMD. This will mitigate the likely impact of the control measures.

Approach

Since FMD could spread throughout Great Britain irrespective of regional and political boundaries, the approach to managing an outbreak seeks complementary, consistent and co-ordinated measures in all regions.

Responsibility for managing outbreaks in the different countries of Great Britain falls to the respective governments, namely the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Scottish Government and Welsh Government, referred to collectively in this document as “government”.

Northern Ireland is recognised as a separate epidemiological unit and would expect to operate separate but similar controls in the event of an outbreak in accordance with national law.

The strategy reflects existing legislation, setting out control measures to be put in place from the point of suspicion of FMD through to Great Britain regaining disease freedom. The strategy is intended to be a living document. Government seeks to ensure that policies and its preparedness to deliver them are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Strategic fit

This control strategy is consistent with the following:

• the Great Britain animal health and welfare principle that “prevention is better than cure”
• meeting international obligations to trading partners
• ongoing obligations for the welfare of animals
• wildlife management policies
• government’s exotic disease contingency plans:
  • Defra’s contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals in England
  • Welsh Government’s contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals
  • Scottish Government exotic diseases of animals contingency framework plan
  • the United Kingdom contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals which sets out the structures, roles, and responsibilities for a rapid and effective response to animal disease

Disease strategic control framework

Disease management principles

Managing exotic diseases primarily involves managing risk. Exotic diseases are defined as those not normally present in the country and therefore risk management for FMD consists of:

• preventing incursion of disease by putting in place measures to prevent entry into Great Britain
• detecting it quickly through surveillance and notification of disease suspicion
• stopping it spreading
• stamping it out
• being prepared to reduce the impact of an outbreak

Disease control objectives

Government’s primary objective in tackling any outbreak of FMD will be to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible and regain disease-free status. In doing so, government will act swiftly and decisively, in partnership with its operational partners and stakeholders as follows:

• minimise the number of animals that need to be culled either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare
• minimise adverse impacts on animal welfare, the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment
• minimise the overall cost of the outbreak and the burden on the taxpayer and public as well as the economic burden of the outbreak on the food, farming and tourism industries and the wider economy
• protect the health and welfare of animals and safety of the public and those directly involved in controlling the outbreak

Approach to disease control

Our approach to disease control includes:

• horizon scanning to track the occurrence of FMD elsewhere in the world
• risk assessment to enable risk management levers to be actioned and reduce the risk of entry
• contingency planning, creation of lessons learned documents, and outbreak simulation exercises to improve preparedness in the event of an incursion
• early detection and prompt reporting of suspicion of FMD to limit the extent to which disease can spread before controls are applied, thereby limiting the size and duration of the outbreak
• containing disease at premises where it is detected and eradicating it swiftly and effectively through humane culling of susceptible animals on the infected premises and animals identified as “dangerous contacts”
• immediate tracing of animals, people, vehicles and anything else liable to spread disease
• limiting the risk of any further spread of disease from premises connected with, or in the vicinity of, the infected premises (through national movement bans, application of cleansing and disinfection and heightened biosecurity measures at national level)
• considering from the outset, whether vaccination as an extra control measure would help to control and eradicate the disease in the circumstances relating to the specific outbreak situation
• undertaking risk assessments based on epidemiological evidence and modelling before easing restrictions
• continuing heightened surveillance on premises in the controlled zones before easing restrictions on a phased basis
• taking consideration of costs and benefits of control measures to make informed decisions
• complying with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) terrestrial animal health code

Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

FMD is a highly infectious, notifiable vesicular disease of domestic ruminants (for example, cattle, sheep and goats) and pigs, other farmed cloven-hoofed mammals and wild ruminants. It is a significant economic disease due to its ability to spread very rapidly and its profound effect on productivity. A very small quantity of the virus can infect an animal, and the disease could spread rapidly throughout the country if it is not controlled quickly.

Seven distinct serotypes of the virus have been identified. The clinical signs of FMD are similar to other vesicular diseases and confirmation of diagnosis can only be made following laboratory tests. Affected animals have a high fever, which is followed by the development of blisters mainly in the mouth and on the feet. In some species however (notably sheep and goats), the disease can be less severe or occurs as a sub-clinical infection.

Some strains can give rise to high levels of mortality in young animals. In adult animals the disease is not usually fatal, however it causes severe pain and distress, especially in cattle, and animals may be left permanently lame with reduced productivity following recovery.

Make sure you know the clinical signs.

More information is also available if you are in Wales or Scotland.

FMD is not considered a public health threat. The Food Standards Agency advice is that FMD is not transmitted to humans through the food chain.

Spread of disease

The fluid within vesicles that form on the feet and mouths of infected animals contain a large quantity of virus, with smaller quantities of virus also present in the saliva, milk and dung. FMD virus may occur in all secretions of an infected animal. Contamination of any objects with any of these secretions or excretions presents a risk of viral transmission to other susceptible animals. Heat and disinfectants will destroy the virus, whereas cold and darkness tend to keep it alive. Survival of the virus in the environment depends on a range of factors and is highly variable. Under field conditions, this can range from days to months.

The virus can be transmitted on fomites (an inanimate object capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another, for example, vehicles, clothing and farm equipment), as well as mechanically by animals and other living vectors. Animals can pick up the virus either by direct contact with an infected animal, or by indirect contact with things which have been contaminated with the virus, such as foodstuffs or with some part of an infected carcass.

Airborne spread of the virus can also occur and, under favourable climatic conditions, the disease could spread several miles by this route, in particular from premises with pigs, that can generate large amounts of virus particles.

Maintaining disease freedom

Introduction

Maintaining disease freedom is important for trade. Where appropriate, or required by legislation, countermeasures as described below are in place which aim to reduce the risk of the introduction of FMD into Great Britain.

Vigilance and prompt reporting

Vigilance by livestock owners for clinical signs of FMD in their animals is vital in early detection of disease and limiting spread. Suspicion of notifiable disease must be reported promptly to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)  so that the presence of notifiable disease can either be ruled out or detected quickly. Failure to promptly report suspicion of notifiable disease is a criminal offence.

Movement, standstill, animal identification and tracings

There are several general Orders that cover rules regarding animal gatherings, animal identification transport and disease control. In particular the Disease Control Order provides a fundamental disease risk reduction measure with respect to livestock movement restrictions and the times required before animals can be moved onto or away from premises.

More information is available on:

• GOV.UK
• GOV.WALES
• GOV.SCOT

Biosecurity

Relevant biosecurity measures should be practised as a matter of routine. Trucks, marketplaces and loading ramps, in or over which infected animals may have travelled, present a risk of disease spread until properly cleansed and disinfected. Roads may also become contaminated, and virus may be picked up and carried on the wheels of passing vehicles.

The boots, clothing and hands of any person who has been in contact with infected animals can spread the disease. Horses, dogs, cats, poultry, wild game and vermin may also act as mechanical vectors to carry the virus.

There is a range of regulatory measures, listed in annex A, to help reduce the risk of spread of any notifiable disease before it is detected (silent spread) and to help with tracing of animals if any incursion were to occur. These include requirements for cleansing and disinfecting livestock vehicles. The Animal Gatherings Order and their associated licence and best practice guidance specify requirements for biosecurity to reduce the risk of spread of disease at livestock markets and shows throughout Great Britain.

The Animal Gatherings Order also outlines the need for records to be kept documenting the movement of animals, vehicles and people involved in the gathering. This will be invaluable in the event of a disease outbreak, to allow tracing of potential disease spread.

Guidance on animal gatherings and biosecurity is available on GOV.UK and:

• GOV.SCOT
• GOV.WALES

International surveillance and monitoring

Defra monitors the international disease situation closely. Preliminary outbreak assessments are published on GOV.UK on notification of a disease outbreak from the European Union (EU) or WOAH.

For outbreaks of FMD in an EU member state, a country bordering the EU or a trading partner, more in-depth qualitative risk assessments may be carried out by Defra. These are designed to give a balanced account of the threat of the disease incident to Great Britain at present and in the future. Both assessments are used to inform Defra and the devolved governments on the risk level of FMD to Great Britain and inform the consideration of preventative controls, such as emergency import restrictions and safeguard measures on goods from countries where there is a high risk of FMD.

Relevant stakeholder organisations will be updated immediately when any such change is made and advised of any additional safeguard measures required.

Trade

Various measures are put in place to ensure that imported animals and products of animal origin do not present unacceptable risks to the health of other animals or to people and so maintain our animal and public health status. For example, we can impose emergency FMD import safeguards on goods from countries where there are cases of FMD.

Further information on imports can be found on:

• GOV.UK
• GOV.WALES
• GOV.SCOT

Imports into Great Britain

Imports are only permitted from territories which meet English, Scottish and Welsh standards for the control of FMD. Import of live animals and germinal products are not permitted from territories with FMD. Meat and dairy products are allowed from certain territories that have areas affected by FMD provided that they are officially recognised and listed by Great British authorities as regionalised and/or the products are treated in such a way to inactivate any FMD virus present (such as through heat treatment). Regionalisation can be used for countries not free of FMD to differentiate between areas within that country which are free of FMD and areas within that country that are not free of FMD.

Imports of meat and dairy products for personal consumption (personal imports) from outside the EU are not permitted into Great Britain unless they meet commercial import requirements. Defra and the devolved governments have scope to put in place measures banning personal imports of meat and dairy products from FMD susceptible animals, from EU countries to prevent the introduction of the disease into Great Britain.

Livestock, other FMD-susceptible animals, germinal products and animal products (including by-products) imported into Great Britain direct from the EU or from the rest of the world are subject to risk based veterinary checks at border control posts, at the point of destination or other approved premises. Medium and high-risk consignments must generally be accompanied by an export health certificate signed by an authorised official veterinarian.

These consignments are subject to documentary checks to ensure that the conditions of import, set out in domestic legislation, are met. Low-risk goods, such as canned goods, are accompanied with commercial documentation which provides traceability information. We also carry out audits in exporting countries to ensure that standards are met.

Imports of livestock, other FMD-susceptible animals, germinal products and animal products (including by-products) that transit other countries must be accompanied by an export health certificate (or commercial document for low-risk goods). These will be checked on a risk basis when they arrive in Great Britain.

All medium and high-risk consignments are subject to documentary checks to ensure that the conditions of import, set out in domestic legislation, are met.

Control of pathogens

Movement of samples containing (or which might contain) FMD to laboratories is regulated and controlled under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (2008) (as amended) (SAPO) and Importation of Animals Pathogen Order (1980) (as amended) (IAPO).

Laboratories handling FMD virus must be either:

• authorised by licence under the Specified Pathogens Order 2008 and operate with the conditions of that licence
• designated by the Secretary of State as the national reference laboratory for FMD
• specifically authorised by the Secretary of State for the handling of live FMD virus

National Expert Group on FMD

A permanently operational National Expert Group on FMD provides specific technical and scientific advice and recommendations on FMD, its transmission and control to inform policy development outside of an outbreak, as well as specific disease control and other measures during an outbreak.

The group comprises veterinary and scientific experts from APHA and the National Reference Laboratory, The Pirbright Institute (TPI), including epidemiologists and virologists. Other experts, for example, on outbreak modelling or meteorologists and economists may also participate in the group.

The group’s advice plays a crucial role in the decision-making process in the event of an outbreak. Further information about expert groups and the decision-making process is set out in contingency plans.

Suspicion of FMD in Great Britain

Notification to Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Suspicion of FMD or any signs of a notifiable vesicular disease in a susceptible animal must be reported immediately to APHA in:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales

Veterinary inquiry

The duty veterinary inspector (VI) will then discuss the clinical signs and health status of the suspect animal over the phone with the person reporting the suspicion.

Based on these discussions, the duty VI will either rule out FMD or if disease cannot be negated over the phone, verbal restrictions will be served by the duty vet.

These will be replaced by written restrictions when the APHA field vet arrives at the premises to undertake a disease investigation.

Actions at suspect premises (SP)

After arriving at the premises and carrying out the initial investigation, if the VI is unable to rule out disease, samples will be taken and submitted to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for analysis. The VI will also serve a notice on the occupier of the premises designating it a suspect premises (SP) and explaining the legal requirements as follows that will remain in place until either disease has been ruled out or disease is confirmed. For example:

• putting up warning signs at the entrance to the SP, for example ‘foot and mouth disease – keep out’
• maintaining records of animals (including those that die) and related products, like fodder, on the premises
• isolation of animals and preventing animals from straying from the area or building where the VI asks them to be kept
• preventing the movement of any susceptible animals onto or off the premises (although immediate licences may be considered on specific welfare grounds, for example, cows for milking)
• providing a method of disinfection at the entrances and exits to the places where the animals are kept
• preventing any vehicle, person, equipment or material (for example, feed and slurry) liable to spread disease from moving on to or off the farm - essential movements may be possible under licence issued by APHA
• controlling rodents on the premises
• enhancing biosecurity measures

Epidemiological inquiry

Information is gathered so that an epidemiological inquiry can begin. This inquiry will progress if disease is confirmed and will look to determine:

• the period during which FMD may have been present on the premises
• the most likely source and spread of the disease
• any other premises which may have been contaminated from the same origin
• the extent to which other susceptible animals may have been infected or contaminated
• any premises to or from which disease may have been carried
• whether any premises under inquiry comprise 2 or more separate production units to ensure all the animals involved are identified, examined and restricted

Diagnostic investigation

Reference Laboratory

The address of the National Reference Laboratory for FMD is:

The Pirbright Institute
Ash Road
Pirbright
Woking
Surrey
GU24 0NF

Laboratory tests

FMD must be confirmed using internationally recognised and validated reference tests conducted at the National Reference Laboratory. Reference tests for vesicular disease diagnosis are stated in the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (WOAH manual). This standard is reflected in national law.

The use of a test not included in the WOAH manual is permitted only when the performance of the test in question matches or exceeds the sensitivity and specificity parameters set down either by the WOAH manual or by national accreditation standards.

Different laboratory tests include those that detect the presence of the virus, such as antigen Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and virus isolation, those that detect virus-specific nucleic acid such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and those that detect the presence of antibodies produced by an animal in response to infection, such as the antibody ELISA.

Initial results can be reported as early as 4 to 6 hours from the samples arriving at the laboratory. Confirmatory results will then follow.

On-farm tests

On-farm (penside) tests are not currently used as a diagnostic tool for FMD in Great Britain. This is mainly because the only on-farm test currently commercially available in the UK for FMD is a lateral flow device.

These devices are very effective at corroborating the presence of disease when there are clear and often unequivocal clinical signs in cattle but much less so when the clinical signs are not so obvious, for example in sheep.

A negative result cannot be relied on since there has to be a large amount of FMD virus present for a positive result and this is not always the case in animals which have been infected for some time or in certain species like sheep. These devices are also not suitable for use in the absence of clinical signs.

The potential benefits of using on-farm tests in the future will continue to be kept under review as the technology advances.

Zones on suspicion of disease

If samples are submitted for laboratory testing because FMD cannot be ruled out in England, Scotland or Wales, then a temporary control zone (TCZ) may be put in place around the SP. The decision to declare a TCZ is made jointly by the chief veterinary officers (CVO) of the relevant governments based on veterinary and scientific advice.

A TCZ will only be declared where it is considered necessary by the CVO and this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It could, for example, be used where lab results will be delayed for a significant period of time due to the remote location of the SP and a TCZ may be deemed appropriate to reduce the potential risk of disease spread in this interim period.

Any GB administration may also declare a TCZ in response to a suspect premises being declared in another administration’s area.

The TCZ can be any size considered appropriate for controlling the spread of disease and this will be determined when the zone is declared. Within the TCZ, movements of susceptible animals to and from premises (including into or out of the zone) are not allowed except under licence (go to annex B).

A supplementary movement control zone (SMCZ) may also be established at suspicion stage, restricting the movement of animals in a wider area. We do not currently envisage circumstances where a SMCZ would be put in place.

Communication

If a TCZ is declared, it will be published online to make the public aware of the suspicion of FMD and the movement restrictions that are in place.

Suspicion at slaughterhouses

At a slaughterhouse, all animals present will be slaughtered quickly and the meat isolated while investigations are undertaken. No meat is allowed to be removed from the premises until the VI is satisfied that meat to be moved does not present a risk of spreading FMD virus.

Meat and by-products that have come from suspect animals, or may have come into contact with such meat, will be isolated within the slaughterhouse pending the outcome of the investigation. The place of origin of any suspect animals will also be investigated.

The food business operator (FBO) is advised to maintain the meat in suitable conditions to ensure that the meat remains fit for human consumption if disease is negated, and the meat is released for sale.

If FMD is confirmed, the food business operator will be required to dispose of this meat and any other by-product from the animal in line with animal by-products regulations.

Suspicion at temporary residences

If disease is suspected at an animal gathering (for example, a livestock market or show), it will be treated in the same way as any other suspect premises and restrictions will be put in place. Every animal gathering is licensed and, as part of that licence, must have contingency plans in place to care for animals while it remains under restrictions.

If disease is suspected at a veterinary practice or other place where animals have been sent on a temporary basis, proportionate measures will apply according to the risk.

In all cases, the place of origin of the suspect animals would also be investigated.

Negative test results to disease investigations

If laboratory tests and veterinary investigations negate the presence of FMD  (and any other notifiable disease), restrictions on the premises will be lifted.

Confirmation of a case of FMD in Great Britain

Confirming FMD

If the laboratory tests indicate the presence of FMD virus, the CVO of the country in which disease has been found will confirm an outbreak of FMD.

When disease is confirmed, a series of actions is initiated through the implementation of government contingency plans. These include declaring relevant disease control zones, confirming measures within the zones and carrying out certain actions at the IP.

International notification obligations

The UK CVO will notify the WOAH and trading partners. Regular reports are submitted to the WOAH as the outbreak progresses. On notification of disease to the WOAH, the UK will lose its disease-free status for FMD.

Trade

Exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland 

In the event of an FMD outbreak Great Britain would lose its FMD disease-free status. As a consequence of this, and to protect the biosecurity status of Northern Ireland, it would not be possible to export FMD susceptible commodities, including live animals, to Northern Ireland. This reflects the longstanding and important arrangements we have had in place to protect animal health and biosecurity in Northern Ireland. Following regionalisation, restrictions on trade outside the restricted area would be relaxed.

Exports to EU countries

In the event of an FMD outbreak in Great Britain it would not be possible to export FMD susceptible commodities to the EU where there is a requirement for disease freedom in the Export Health Certificate.

Generally, exports of all live animals, germinal products, untreated meat and dairy products (including personal exports) and animal by-products will be prohibited by EU safeguard measures. During outbreaks of FMD, government will liaise with the UK Mission to the EU on facilitating exports as far as possible. Following regionalisation, restrictions on trade outside the restricted area would be relaxed.

Exports to countries outside the EU

Export health certificates agreed with countries outside the EU vary and reflect the destination country’s import conditions. Some countries will suspend imports from the UK even though export health certificates can be signed.

During outbreaks of FMD, government will liaise with exporters, British embassies overseas and veterinary authorities of the relevant countries to keep export markets open and facilitate exports as far as possible.

Experience has shown that getting an FMD-related ban lifted can require a lot of effort and resources for some countries.

Priority will be given to those markets most important to exporters, as decided for red meat and germplasm by a government-industry partnership called UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP) which was founded in October 2008 following the 2001 and 2007 FMD outbreaks in the UK.

For other commodities, the relevant industry representatives will be consulted. Customer Information Notes are issued on government websites to inform exporters about trade restrictions. Government’s role in such discussions with these countries will continue for a significant period of time following an outbreak of FMD.

Zones

The following zones will be put in place on confirmation of disease at an infected premises (IP) to limit spread of disease. A summary of the restrictions on the movement of animals, animal products and anything else which can spread disease is in annex B. The restrictions are stricter close to infected premises:

• protection zone (PZ) - mandatory on confirmation of disease unless the premises are a slaughterhouse or premises where animals have been directed following suspicion in an animal in transit and will cover a minimum of 3km in radius from the IP
• surveillance zone (SZ) - mandatory on confirmation of disease unless the premises is a slaughterhouse or premises where animals have been directed following suspicion in an animal in transit and will cover a minimum of 10km in radius from the IP
• restricted zone (RZ) will be declared to implement a national movement ban across Great Britain by each administration at the beginning of any FMD outbreak

Cross-border zones in Great Britain

If the IP where disease has been confirmed is located near the border with another country in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales), which means the zone to be declared extends into that country, then both administrations will make a declaration relating to the zone.

Actions at infected premises (IP)

On the premises where disease is confirmed, restrictions already imposed on the premises will remain in force. Susceptible animals will be humanely culled.

Their carcasses will be disposed of and preliminary disinfection will be carried out on the farm. The epidemiological investigation will continue to seek to establish where the disease came from and where it may have spread.

Culling of animals

There are several considerations taken into account when culling animals for disease control purposes, these include:

• human health and safety considerations for those involved in the operation on the IP
• rapid response – animals need to be culled as soon as possible to reduce the risk of spread of disease
• animal welfare, which is subject to strict legal controls
• the risk of spread of disease to other premises must be minimised during the culling on farm
• the risk of spread through the wild animal population (for example, feral pigs and wild boar)

National law permits government to consider sparing certain limited categories of animal from culling if it can be proven that doing so will not increase the risk of spread of disease.

These categories are limited to susceptible animals kept for scientific or conservation purposes in specific types of premises - for example, laboratories, zoos, premises conserving species or genetic resources, and wildlife parks. A decision will be made based on the outcome of a veterinary risk assessment on a case-by-case basis.

Disposal of carcasses

Carcasses will normally be disposed of by commercial incineration, rendering or licensed commercial landfill. Every effort will be made to ensure that on-farm pyres or mass burial are not used in the future, but this cannot be completely ruled out if demand exceeds the capacity of the preferred disposal options.

Particular areas in Scotland (especially those areas in the Highlands and islands covered by the remote area derogation) may have logistical difficulties moving the carcasses off farm for rendering and incineration because of their geography.

Depending on the individual situation and the disease risk, consideration would be given to the hierarchy of preferred options for disposal in Scotland at the time of any outbreak.

Compensation and valuation

Compensation provisions for animals culled for disease control purposes are set out in the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended). This provides that:

• where the animal slaughtered was affected with FMD, the compensation will be the value of the animal immediately before it became affected
• in every other case, the compensation will be the value of the animal immediately before it was slaughtered

Compensation will be paid for anything that has to be seized and destroyed by APHA because it poses a risk of transmitting disease and cannot be cleansed and disinfected. This will be at the value of the item at the time of seizure (that is in its contaminated state, which often means the item has no value).

Compensation is not paid for any meat, milk or by-product that is required to be disposed of following trace investigations of potential sources of disease spread (go to Tracing of potentially infected material from an IP).

Preliminary cleansing and disinfection

After the carcasses have been disposed of, preliminary disinfection of the premises is carried out by APHA contracted staff and at the cost of government.

This involves a full cleansing and spray down with approved disinfectant of the areas in which infected animals have been and the areas used for culling.

Contact premises

As a result of the epidemiological inquiry, other premises are often identified where the infection may have come from or spread to. These are regarded as contact premises. Disease spread can occur in many ways including movement of live animals, people, farm equipment, vehicles or slurry and manure.

Disease can also spread over short distances from adjacent farms where stock have nose to nose contact or over longer distances via aerosolised virus. Longer distance aerosolised spread is associated with infected pigs as they emit higher concentrations of virus, particularly during the acute stage of infection.

When a contact premises is identified though tracings from the IP, an assessment will be made about the level of risk that any susceptible animals may have been exposed to. If susceptible animals may have been exposed restrictions will be served on the premises and:

• if the risk of exposure is very high (usually limited to the movement of live animals from an IP during the infective period) the premises would be considered a dangerous contact and the animals culled
• if the level of exposure is not deemed high enough to warrant culling, the premises and animals will remain under restriction and their health status will be monitored (regularly inspected for signs of disease) for 3 to 4 weeks from the last known contact with the IP and may also be sampled for serology on an epidemiological basis

Tracing of potentially infected material from an IP

Milk and milk products, meat and meat products, carcasses, hides, skins, wool, and genetic material derived or collected from susceptible animals from the IP will be traced. Once traced the owner will be required to either dispose of them, or treat them, as directed, to kill any virus that may be present.

This includes meat, milk or other products at the IP that were produced from susceptible animals originating from the IP or in some cases originating from other farms where the IP product has been in contact with such products. Compensation is not paid.

Access to the countryside

In the event of a disease outbreak there will be a presumption in favour of access to the countryside. Rights of way or land to which the public have a right of access will be closed on IPs and access to IPs would be limited to essential visitors and vehicles only, with any movements observing strict disease prevention (biosecurity) measures.

Access to all other businesses, premises and transport networks within the zones would remain open with appropriate biosecurity measures in force. Access will also be limited on any other premises where restrictions are in place.

Rights of way in the PZ would only be closed with the permission of the relevant minister and following the advice from a veterinary risk assessment.

Stakeholder awareness and communication

A range of information is already available about the signs and symptoms of FMD and appropriate biosecurity measures, as well as information about controls outside of a disease outbreak on:

• GOV.UK
• GOV.WALES
• GOV.SCOT

During an outbreak, information will be made widely available to all livestock owners, veterinary surgeons and other stakeholders about the disease control measures in place, for example, movement restrictions and licensing.

Livestock keepers have a responsibility to stay informed during an outbreak and are advised to register to receive APHA text alerts in advance. They should also make sure they know how to find out whether they are in a zone and the restrictions within that zone. Information will be available through different channels including government websites and social media.

Additional information setting out clearly the responsibilities and restrictions applicable to IPs and those within the zones will be provided to owners and occupiers. Owners will be advised of the results of any FMD tests performed on their animals and what the results mean.

General information will also be made available to members of the public concerned, for example, about access to the countryside and preventing spread.

Vaccination

Introduction

Routine, preventative vaccination for FMD is banned in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), allowing Great Britain to maintain the highest FMD status under international trade rules of ‘countries free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination’.

However, Article 14B of the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) legally obliges government to consider whether vaccination would assist disease control and activate arrangements to implement vaccination from the outset of an FMD outbreak.

Vaccination would not replace the policy of stamping out disease on infected farms and their dangerous contacts. A decision to vaccinate is a very complex one and is likely to be finely balanced. We would need to consider the availability of an appropriate vaccine and the time taken to activate vaccine delivery.

It would be based on a combination of expert veterinary and scientific advice, as well as the results of modelling the benefits of vaccination, and economic analysis and stakeholder views. This is most likely to be on the basis of protective vaccination such as vaccination to live.

Why vaccinate?

Vaccination can play a major role in controlling FMD by:

• inducing immunity and protecting animals against infection and clinical signs associated with FMD
• preventing or reducing the amount of virus produced by infected animals, thereby reducing the likelihood of spread to other animals

This may contribute to:

• reducing the overall impact of the outbreak (the combined impact and costs of the disease and control measures on everyone affected)
• reducing the number of animals required to be killed during an outbreak

Capability to deliver an emergency vaccination campaign

Contingency plans set out our capability to deliver an emergency vaccination campaign.

The UK has its own vaccine bank with stocks of antigen.

In the event of an outbreak and following detailed analysis of the circulating virus, the National Reference Laboratory at The Pirbright Institute will advise whether there is suitable antigen in the FMD vaccine bank that could prove effective against the field strain.

The reasons for a decision on vaccination would be published along with details of any proposed campaign.

In the event that there was no suitable antigen available through the UK vaccine bank, or there were insufficient doses of a suitable vaccine available, additional vaccine or doses could be requested from FMD vaccine banks held by other countries.

When to vaccinate

It is vital, if a decision to vaccinate is taken, that vaccine is deployed at the right time. For a highly contagious disease like FMD, it is essential that the vaccination campaign is completed quickly after it is started so that the vaccinated animals in the vaccination zone (VZ) develop an effective immunity. In cattle, there is good immunity 4 days after being vaccinated and this rises to very good levels of immunity after 7 days.

If deployed too soon before the geographical extent of the cases is well understood, it is possible that vaccine is used in an area where the benefits are less than those in an area where disease is becoming established but has yet to be diagnosed.

If deployed too late it is possible that disease becomes established within the VZ at the time of vaccination and hence all the benefits from vaccinating are lost.

Where and how to vaccinate

Geographical spread, rate of transmission and population density of susceptible livestock, alongside a range of other factors will need to be considered (such as the availability of vaccine doses).

Depending on the nature of the outbreak, experts will advise on the number of, location and size of the VZs, as well as the delivery strategy to be deployed within those zones.

Controls and restrictions in an emergency vaccination campaign

These are summarised in annex B. Any decision to vaccinate will be published and will set out the conditions under which the vaccination campaign will be undertaken. Any such decision will include:

• details of the VZs within which the campaign is to be carried out
• the species and age of animals to be vaccinated
• the proposed duration of the campaign
• details of how vaccinated animals will be identified as well as outlining how the specific controls listed below will be implemented

A vaccination surveillance zone of at least 10km will also be put in place around a VZ. This zone and its restrictions remain until FMD-free status is achieved.

Once vaccinated, live animals cannot be traded internationally. The trade in non-heat and heat-treated meat and meat products will be limited to the domestic market for the duration of an outbreak.

Pre-emptive culling

Powers are provided in the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) for the possible application of pre-emptive (or preventive or fire break) culling of animals not exposed to FMD infection.

Such powers cannot be used unless a disease control (slaughter) protocol has been published and vaccination has first been considered to prevent the spread of disease. The reasons for not using vaccination would be published.

Vaccination is preferred to pre-emptive culling of animals. We do not currently envisage seeking to use pre-emptive culling powers.

Recovery

Premises

IP restrictions will remain in place until either:

• the occupier has undertaken secondary cleansing and disinfection in accordance with the directions of APHA and sentinel animals have been placed on the premises and show no signs of disease on clinical inspections and samples tested from these animals have returned negative results - secondary cleansing and disinfection is the responsibility of, and at the cost of, the occupier of the premises. Sentinel restocking of the premises may be permitted under licence and cannot take place until at least 21 days after APHA is satisfied that secondary cleansing and disinfection has been undertaken to the required standard
• a period of time (defined by risk assessment) has elapsed for the virus to decay naturally and no longer poses a threat of infecting animals - decay of the FMD virus in the environment is subject to local conditions on the farm

Duration of zones

The restrictions on other premises in PZs and SZs cannot be lifted until an epidemiological survey has been concluded with negative results in all holdings keeping animals of susceptible species and situated within the PZ.

Regular inspections will take place from the time the disease is suspected.

The PZ cannot be merged with the surveillance zone until at least 15 days after preliminary cleansing and disinfection of the IP. It can only be merged if no disease is suspected or confirmed and the results of any samples taken are all negative.

The SZ must remain in force for at least another 15 days. It will remain in force if further disease is suspected or confirmed in the area.

Meat and milk produced from animals originating in the zones remains restricted until such time as the required treatments have been applied. Required treatments are stated in annex B.

Welfare of animals

All keepers of livestock have a duty of care to their animals. They should anticipate problems (including those associated with disease control movement restriction measures) and make appropriate plans to mitigate the effects. This should form a routine part of their business planning processes. This could, for example, include arrangements relating to extra accommodation or feed.

In the normal course of business, a farmer would expect to assume responsibility where it becomes necessary to cull stock for welfare reasons. The introduction of disease control measures does not alter this obligation and normal business planning should cover action necessary to protect the welfare of animals in the event of an emergency.

There will be an initial period during any disease outbreak where the movement of all susceptible animals is prohibited. This may give rise to the risk of welfare problems and farmers should have their own contingency plan for mitigating such problems through management or husbandry practices. These might include building or utilising temporary housing or taking additional fodder to the stock.

In the event of an outbreak, government, the RSPCA and SSPCA and other organisations will also provide general welfare advice and practical assistance. When the disease risk permits, farmers will be allowed to move their animals under licence requiring strict biosecurity to slaughter or possibly to other farm premises.

If all other options are exhausted and welfare problems are still a risk, farmers should be prepared to undertake welfare culling on farm. This should only be carried out by an appropriately trained and qualified person holding the appropriate slaughterman’s licence by an approved method and using suitable equipment. Guidance will be provided on the most appropriate route for disposal of such carcasses and licences issued if necessary.

Farmers will still need to prepare to deal with fallen stock and in the event of a disease outbreak guidance will be issued through the National Fallen Stock Co.

However, if the animal was suspected of being infected or died from a notifiable disease the local APHA office must be notified.

Government would only consider introducing a Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme to facilitate culling and disposal of animals as an absolute last resort when all other options have been exhausted, and only if necessary to prevent an unacceptable deterioration in welfare standards.

If introduced, a disposal scheme would only apply to animals that cannot be moved under licence to a slaughterhouse. No payment will be made to farmers for animals culled under such a scheme.

Licensing

The legal framework underpinning the measures described in annex B in disease control zones allows for the licensing of certain movements or activities in certain circumstances.

Where there is licence provision and, based on expert opinion, it is concluded that allowing a movement or activity would not risk spreading disease, a licence may be issued.

Licences will have conditions which are considered necessary to reduce the risk of possible disease spread. Licences may be in the form of a:

• specific licence – applied for through APHA, allowing a one-off movement or activity subject to conditions
• multiple licence – applied for through APHA, allowing a number of movements or activities to take place over a certain period, subject to conditions, without having to apply for separate licences for each movement or activity
• general licence, allowing a movement or activity to take place without applying for a licence – so long as the conditions of the licence can be met, the movement or activity can be undertaken

As part of good contingency planning, government maintains a library of template licences for FMD that can be used in an outbreak.

Licensing strategy

At the start of any outbreak, there will be a high degree of uncertainty about where FMD may exist. The position will start to become clearer as tracings, surveillance and the epidemiological investigation progress. Changes will be informed by veterinary risk assessment, and the advice of the National Emergency Epidemiology Group (NEEG) – this will depend on the disease situation and will be subject to adherence to strict conditions.

Decisions on changes can only be made when the epidemiological position for any particular outbreak indicates that the risk of spread can be adequately mitigated by biosecurity conditions. It’s essential that restrictions remain in place as long as necessary to ensure the disease can be controlled and eradicated as quickly as possible.

Changes in movement restrictions can be expected to be phased. The first phase will be limited to those activities which need to happen at the beginning of any outbreak to address immediate animal welfare needs - for example, movement of dairy cows for milking, transport of feed to animals within zones or collection and processing of milk.

Restrictions can be expected to be eased incrementally as certainty about the outbreak increases. Low-risk movements, such as movements direct to slaughter within a short distance, will be considered before higher risk movements, such as movements of susceptible species from one premises to another.

The government will address issues relating to ensuring what operations industry can reasonably continue to carry out during an outbreak through discussion with the FMD core group in England and industry stakeholders in Scotland and Wales.

Recovering international disease freedom

The WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code sets out requirements which determine whether a country is regarded as disease free.

How quickly a country regains its FMD free status depends on how long it takes to eradicate the disease and on the disease control strategies used.

International disease-free status can be recovered:

• 3 months after the last case where culling of animals on infected premises and dangerous contacts (‘stamping out’) and surveillance are applied
• 3 months after the disposal of the last animal killed or the slaughter of the last vaccinated animal, whichever occurred last, where stamping out, serological surveillance and emergency (‘suppressive’) vaccination is used
• 6 months after the last case or the last vaccination (whichever is latest) where stamping out and ‘protective vaccination’ to live is used, provided that serological surveillance based on the detection of FMD non-structural proteins demonstrates the absence of infection in the remaining vaccinated population - the period can be reduced to 3 months if a country can submit sufficient evidence demonstrating absence of infection in the non-vaccinated population and absence of transmission in the emergency vaccinated population

FMD in wild animals

Under current wildlife disease surveillance arrangements, any unusual mortality or disease observed in a wild animal would be investigated in consultation with the relevant government in England, Scotland or Wales.

During an outbreak of FMD the presence of susceptible wild animals will be taken into account in considering appropriate control measures and possible spread of disease.

If it is suspected that wild or feral animals may be infected with FMD, surveillance will be carried out on susceptible species hunted or found dead, for example, from road traffic accidents, to confirm or rule out infection.

If FMD were to be confirmed in a wild animal, a wild animal infected zone (WAIZ) will be declared. This will be of an appropriate size to prevent the spread of disease. Controls to be applied in the zone are summarised in annex B.

Experts will advise on the most appropriate disease eradication methods for the species involved and the geographical location.

Annex A: legislation

UK primary legislation

The Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) and the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) provide the enabling powers for the legislation that deals with the control of FMD.

The Animal Health Act 2002 (England and Wales) (as amended) amended the Animal Health Act 1981 and supplemented its existing powers by allowing animals to be slaughtered wherever this is necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

Similar provision was made in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (as amended). The 2002 Act also requires that the Secretary of State must consider the case for vaccination for FMD from the outset of a confirmed outbreak, and to publish the decision once it has been made.

Secondary Legislation

Secondary domestic legislation is as follows:

For England:

• the Animal Health Act 1981 (Amendment) Regulations 2005
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (England) Order 2006 (as amended)
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) (England) Regulations 2006 (as amended)

Control of FMD is also supported in England through the following orders and regulations:

• the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 (as amended)
• the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and disinfection) (England) (No3) Order 2003 (as amended)
• the Animal Gatherings Order 2010 (as amended)
• the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended)
• the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Order 2007

For Wales:

• the Animal Health Act 1981 (Amendment) Regulations 2005
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Wales) Order 2006 (as amended)
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2025

Control of FMD is also supported in Wales through the following orders and regulations:

• the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (as amended)
• the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No3) Order 2003 (as amended)
• the Animal Gatherings (Wales) Order 2010 (as amended)
• the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 (as amended)

For Scotland:

• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended)
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Slaughter and Vaccination) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
• the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Scotland) Amendment Order 2007
• the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2007

Control of FMD is also supported in Scotland through the following orders and regulations:

• the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 (as amended)
• the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulation 2005 (as amended)
• the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Scotland Order 2008 (as amended)
• the Disease Control (Interim Measures) (Scotland) Order 2002 (as amended)

Annex B: FMD main movement controls

This list is not a definitive summary of the requirements of the FMD legislation and should therefore be read as only a guide to the main features relating to the movement of livestock and the treatment of products. Further controls may be declared if necessary including, but not limited to, controlling movement of non-susceptible animals. 

Temporary control zone (TCZ)

Temporary control zone (TCZ):

• around suspected premises
• can be such size as needed but normally covers a 10km radius of the suspect premises, as it can later form the boundary of a surveillance zone
• controls can be placed on the movement of animal products, things, people, vehicles and non-susceptible animals

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements of susceptible animals into and out of TCZ except:     

• through the zone without stopping
• to complete a journey started before the creation of the zone

Ban on movement from and between premises within TCZ except under licence.

Stray or feral susceptible animals may be destroyed.

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk do not apply, unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply.

Supplementary movement control zone (SMCZ): 

Supplementary movement control zone (SMCZ)

• around TCZ of such size as needed to prevent disease spread
• may extend to the whole of England or Scotland or Wales
• could impose a nationwide animal movement ban when an outbreak is suspected
• can be used to control movement of susceptible animals and specified non-susceptible animals for up to 72 hours

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements into or out of an SMCZ or on to or off premises in an SMCZ except:  

• through the zone without stopping
• to complete a journey started before the creation of the zone
• movement of a horse for veterinary treatment under licence (if horse movements need to be controlled) 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk  

Conditions for marketing meat and milk do not apply, unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply. 

Restricted zone (RZ)

Restricted zones (RZ):

• are declared following confirmation of FMD
• are of such size as needed to prevent disease spread
• may extend to the whole of England, Scotland and Wales
• are used to maintain the national animal movement ban following confirmation

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on:

• movement of susceptible animals from premises, or into or out of an RZ except under licence
• animal gatherings (which include susceptible animals) and gatherings of people in connection with sale of susceptible animals except under licence
• stalking and shooting deer except under licence
• shearing and dipping of sheep except under licence
• ultrasound scanning, or other livestock services of susceptible animals except under licence

Controls on:

• slaughter of susceptible animals and on products from slaughterhouses
• sale and consignment of germinal products

Cleansing and Disinfection requirements on vehicles used to transport susceptible animals, carcasses or animal products.  

Stray, feral susceptible animals may be destroyed.  

Conditions for marketing meat and milk  

Conditions for marketing meat and milk do not apply, unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply. 

Protection zone (PZ)

Protection zones (PZ):

• are around infected premises
• cover a minimum of a 3km radius or more if necessary to control disease

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on:

• susceptible animal movements between premises in a PZ except:
  • movement for emergency slaughter under licence
  • movements from one part of a premises to another part of the same premises using a public highway (under licence)
• animal movements into or out of zone except:
  • transport through the zone without stopping
  • transport from outside zone for immediate slaughter (under licence)
• movement of non-susceptible animals from or to premises with susceptible animals except:
  • pets (if non susceptible species)
  • horses (under licence)
  • movements between parts of the same premises using a public highway (under licence)
• animal gatherings, certain gatherings of people (for example hunting, stalking), movement of vehicles used to transport susceptible animals (except under licence)
• movement of vehicles used in the transport of animals from premises with susceptible animals except under licence
• shearing, dipping, or other livestock services except by licence or where specific exemptions apply
• sale of hides and skins of susceptible animals (some specific exemptions apply)
• ultrasound scanning, or other livestock services of susceptible animals except under licence

Controls (under licence) for the collection, transport and processing of milk and milk products. 

Control on sale and consignment of germinal products.

Specific requirements to keep dogs and poultry under control. 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

The conditions for marketing meat and milk are that:

• fresh meat can be marketed if either:
  • it was produced more than 21 days before the earliest infection date and stored and transported separately from meat produced 21 days or less before the earliest infection date
  • a treatment is applied before being marketed
• meat requiring treatment requires:
  • separation of animals and product required in abattoirs, transport and storage and subsequent premises until treatment complete
  • meat to be cross-stamped until treated
  • main treatment allowed for meat and offal is heat treatment (cooking)
  • UK will consider applying for possible derogation which provides for exemption from treatments 30 days after establishment of the latest PZ applying to each premises
  • slaughterhouses handling animals originating from farms in the zone must be designated (licensed)
  • any commercial premises located inside the zone which handles meat must be licensed under FMD directive - for slaughterhouses this will require formal application, others will be under general licence conditions
• milk produced from animals in the zone can only be marketed pasteurised

Surveillance zone (SZ)

Surveillance zones (SZ):

• are around a PZ
• cover a minimum of a 10km radius from the Infected Premises or more if necessary to control disease

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on:

• movements from premises except:
  • movement to slaughter (under licence and following satisfactory clinical examination) to an abattoir
  • within or close to the SZ
  • movement to pasture in SZ (under licence and following satisfactory clinical and serological surveillance testing) and greater than 15 days after last case in associated PZ
• shearing, dipping, or other livestock services except by licence or where specific exemptions apply
• sale of hides and skins of susceptible animals (some specific exemptions apply)
• animal gatherings with susceptible animals
• certain gatherings of people (including hunting, stalking)
• movement of vehicles used to transport susceptible animals except under licence
• ultrasound scanning, or other livestock services of susceptible animals except under licence

Persons in charge of vehicles used to move susceptible animals under licence must adhere to the required cleansing and disinfection instructions for that vehicle. 

Controls (under licence) for the collection, transport and processing of raw milk produced in a surveillance zone.

Control on sale and consignment of germinal products. 

Specific requirements to keep dogs and poultry under control.

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

The conditions for marketing meat and milk are that:

• fresh meat can be marketed if either:
  • the animals were on the same premises for at least 21 days before slaughter and were identified so as to allow tracing of the premises; and the meat has been detained under supervision for at least 7 days and until any suspicion of infection on the premises of origin has been ruled out
  • the animals were on the same premises for at least 21 days before slaughter during which no susceptible animals were brought onto the premises; samples taken within the 48 hours before loading have tested negative; and meat has been detained under supervision for 24 hours and not released until after a repeat inspection of animals on the premises of origin has ruled out on clinical grounds the presence of infected or suspect animals
• treatments required for meat before being marketed:
  • separation required in abattoirs, transport and storage and subsequent premises until treatment complete
  • beef and sheep meat to be heat treated (cooked) or matured and deboned to specific standards
  • pig and sheep meat to be heat treated (cooked)
• UK will consider applying for possible derogation which provides for exemption from treatments 30 days after establishment of the latest SZ applying to each premises
• milk to be pasteurised

Vaccination zone (VZ)

Vaccination zone (VZ):

• following a decision to vaccinate
• can be of such size as needed

Phase 1

Phase 1 is from start of vaccination until at least 30 days after vaccination is completed in the VZ at the Secretary of State’s discretion.

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements of all susceptible animals (independent of their vaccination status) between premises within and out of VZ except movement (under licence following satisfactory clinical examination) direct for immediate slaughter within, or in exceptional cases close to, VZ.

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

The conditions for marketing meat and milk are that:

• fresh meat (including offal) cannot be marketed
• treatments required for meat and other products from vaccinated animals before being marketed:
  • separation required in abattoirs, transport and storage and subsequent premises until treatment is complete
  • meat to be marked with a cross-stamp until treated
  • meat to be heat treated (cooked)
  • milk to be pasteurised
  • any meat produced during Phase 1 is subject to these rules even after subsequent phases start
• products from unvaccinated animals may be marketed without treatment unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply

Phase 2

Phase 2 is up to when survey and classification of holdings are completed. 

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements from all susceptible animals (independent of their vaccination status) between premises within and out of VZ except movements under licence to slaughter within or outside VZ, subject to a negative diagnostic test.

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

The conditions for marketing meat and milk are that:

• offal cannot be marketed
• treatments required for meat and other products from vaccinated animals before being marketed:
  • separation required in abattoirs, transport and storage and subsequent premises until treatment complete
  • beef meat to be heat treated (cooked) or matured and deboned to a specific standard
  • pig and sheep meat to be heat treated
  • milk to be pasteurised
• products from unvaccinated animals may be marketed without treatment unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply

Phase 3

Phase 3 is after completion of survey and classification of holdings until UK infection free status recovered.

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements of all susceptible animals (independent of their vaccination status) between premises within and out of VZ except:

• movements between premises allowed under licence
• movements direct to slaughter within or outside VZ under licence
• when subject to satisfactory clinical examination and either a negative serology test for each animal intended for transport or serological survey has on the premises suitable to detect 5% prevalence with at least 95% level of confidence with negative results

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

The conditions for marketing meat and milk are that:

• offal cannot be marketed
• treatments required for meat and other products from vaccinated animals before being marketed:
  • separation required in abattoirs, transport and storage and subsequent premises until treatment complete
  • beef meat from vaccinated animals (and seropositive offspring of vaccinated dams) to be heat treated (cooked) or matured and deboned
  • sheep meat from vaccinated (and seropositive offspring of vaccinated dams) to be heat treated (cooked) or matured and deboned
  • fresh meat from vaccinated pigs (and seropositive offspring) can be marketed provided it has been produced at an authorised establishment, which only processes meat originating from premises declared free of disease or from animals reared and slaughtered outside of the VZ, has been stored and transported separately from meat not eligible or marketing, and if health stamped accordingly - all other meat from vaccinated pigs must be processed into a meat product before marketing
  • UK may apply for possible derogation which provides for exemption from treatments for beef and sheep meat

Fresh meat from unvaccinated animals from the VZ can be marketed in animals if they have been transported correctly, all test negative for FMD and are processed in an authorised establishment or all susceptible animals on all reactor holdings in the VZ have been slaughtered.

Vaccination surveillance zone (VSZ)

Vaccination surveillance zone (VSZ):

• minimum of 10km around a VZ or further if needed
• no vaccination permitted
• intense surveillance

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements within and out of VSZ except when the movement is within the premises where they are kept or under licence. 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk do not apply, unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply.

Wild animal infected zone (WAIZ)

Wild animal infected zone (WAIZ):

• if disease is confirmed in a wild animal
• such size as needed to control disease spread
• susceptible animals should be isolated from wild animals

Movement controls on susceptible animals

Ban on movements onto or off premises except under licence.

Conditions for marketing meat and milk 

Conditions for marketing meat and milk do not apply, unless premises are also within another zone, in which case the conditions for that zone apply.

Annex C: glossary of terms

Term	Definition
APHA	Animal and Plant Health Agency. A government executive agency primarily responsible for ensuring farmed animals in Great Britain are healthy, disease-free and well looked after. Safeguards public and animal health by assisting in detecting and diagnosing farm animal diseases.
Approved disinfectant	Approved disinfectant means a disinfectant approved under the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Order 2007.
CVO	Chief Veterinary Officer. An official in the UK Government, who is head of veterinary services for each government and is responsible for veterinary advice to ministers and policy colleagues on all aspects of animal health and welfare. The UK has CVOs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The CVO in Defra leads the international relations elements of the response, provides advice on a cross-UK basis, and leads the emergency response for England.
CP	Contact Premises. Premises where the infection may have come from or spread to.
DG	Devolved Government. For the purposes of this strategy means the Scottish Government and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Defra	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Designated (for example, slaughterhouse)	During an outbreak, such premises can be designated by Defra, DGs, Animal Health only if they meet high standards of biosecurity and traceability. If the relevant movements are licensed by Defra, DGs, Animal Health, premises in disease control zones may only send animals and products to a designated place (for example, slaughterhouse).
FMD	Foot and Mouth Disease
FSA	Food Standards’ Agency. An independent government department set up to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food.
Index case	The index case is the first case detected, but it may not necessarily be the one that introduced disease into the population, which is the primary case.
LA	Local Authority. Usually county or unitary authorities responsible for enforcing the majority of animal disease control legislation.
LWDS	Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme
MS	Member State
NEEG	National Emergency Epidemiology Group
NEG	National Expert Group
NRL	National Reference Laboratory, for FMD based at The Pirbright Institute, Surrey.
WOAH	World Organisation for Animal Health
WOAH Manual	The World Organisation for Animal Health’s Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals – contributes to the international harmonisation of diagnostic methods, the surveillance and control of the most important animal diseases.
OV	Official Veterinarian
Primary case	The case that introduces the disease into the population described.
PZ	Protection zone
RCVS	Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
RZ	Restricted zone
RSPCA	Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Sentinel	An individual or part of a population potentially susceptible to infection that is monitored for the appearance or recurrence of the causative pathogen.
Slaughterhouse	An establishment used for slaughtering animals, the meat of which is intended for human consumption.
SMCZ	Supplementary movement control zone
SSPCA	Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
SP	Suspect premises
SZ	Surveillance zone
TCZ	Temporary control zone
TPI	The Pirbright Institute
UKECP	UK Export Certification Partnership – partnership between Defra and Export Certification Ltd (ECL) covering meat, breeding livestock and germplasm from bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and camelid species.
VENDU	Veterinary Exotic Notifiable Disease Unit of APHA. VENDU provides veterinary policy advice to Defra and devolved governments, including exotic notifiable diseases and risk assessments. VENDU works closely with government and the National Reference Laboratory (The Pirbright Institute) when there is an exotic notifiable disease investigation and has a vital role in disease reporting during an outbreak.
VZ	Vaccination zone
VI	Veterinary Inspector – A member of the RCVS with certain powers under disease control legislation and appointed by Ministers.
VO	Veterinary Officer – a member of the RCVS appointed by Ministers. Most VOs will also be veterinary inspectors.
VRA	Veterinary risk assessment