Falklands : Falklands Launch Preventative Measures Against FMD
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 06.09.2007 (Article Archived on 20.09.2007)
Several measures are in place to prevent FMD from entering the Falklands.
PRESS RELEASE
PREVENTATIVE MEASUTES AGAINST FOOT AND MOUTH ENTERING
THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.
Vic Epstein, Senior Veterinary Officer
4 September 2007
Foot and Mouth outbreak occurred in the UK on 4 August.
The incubation period if this viral disease is about a week, therefore the virus could have been active and unknowingly contaminated food products (milk, milk products, meat, meat products) processed between 15 July and 4 August.
There was some food imported from the IIK already in transit which could have been processed during this period. Products that could be affected by this could be on the vessels Elizabeth Buoy which arrived on 4th September and the Anvil Point which arrives on 10 September.
As a precaution against contaminated foods spreading the disease to the Falklands, food sourced from the UK needs a certificate to indicate it was not processed during this period.
Food arriving on these vessels that was processed in the 'danger period' will be bonded and a risk assessment made as to its release or destruction.
Vehicles on the Anvil Point that came from within or near the control zone in England will be examined. Where necessary they will be cleaned and disinfected as they come off the boat. This will occur with the full co-operation of the military, who will undertake the procedures on our behalf under the guidance of the Veterinary Section of the DoA.
This will complete the extraordinary precautions taken to prevent foot and mouth reaching the Falkland Islands and things can return to normal.
A review of importation requirements from the UK for meat, meat products, milk and milk products as well as stock feeds and farm chemicals to improve bio-security and ensure food safety of products exported to the Falklands has been undertaken and will be fully implemented in the near future, with changes in the legislation.
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