PURPOSE OF REPORT To update the Comhairle on the situation in respect of Footand Mouth and Bluetongue Diseases in the UK.

COMPETENCE

1.1 There are no legal, financial or other constraints to the recommendation being implemented.

SUMMARY

2.1 There has been considerable publicity concerning the outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disuse and Bluetongue in England, and this report seeks to give an accurate update on the situation in respect of both outbreaks, together with an indication of the implications for the Western Isles.

2.2 The immediate Foot and Mouth crisis is virtually at an end, although its effect on local markets will be felt for some time to come. The situation in respect of Bluetongue is of increasing concern though as the disease heads north. Appendix one shows the extent of the Protection and Surveillance Zones introduced as a result of the disease.

RECOMMENDATION

3.1 It is recommended that the situation in respect of the outbreaks of Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue Diseases in England be noted.

Contact Officer Harry Miller Tel: 01851 709313

APPENDIX 1. Bluetongue – Protection and Surveillance Zones.

Background Papers None.

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REPORTS/ES/

ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE 4 DECEMBER 2007

FOOT AND MOUTH AND BLUETONGUE DISEASES IN BRITAIN.

Report by Director for Sustainable Communities

REPORT DETAILS

INTRODUCTION

4.1 Currently there are restrictions in place controlling the movement of stock in England as a consequence of both the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the south of England and the increasing presence of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in eastern areas of England.

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

5.1 At present the last of the movement restrictions and controls put in place at the start of the current outbreak on 12 September 2007 in the south of England are in the process of being removed. Although continued monitoring will take place it is assumed that the outbreak is now over.

5.2 The source of this outbreak was traced to a laboratory in Pirbright which was involved in the production of FMD vaccine. The implications of the outcome of the investigation into the source of this outbreak are still under consideration.

BLUETONGUE

6.1 Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). Horses are not a susceptible species. The disease is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges possibly including the common midge in this part of the country.

6.2 Bluetongue was first described in South Africa but has since been recognized in most countries in the tropics and sub-tropics. Since 1999 there have been widespread outbreaks of Bluetongue in Greece, Italy, Corsica (France) and the Balearic Islands (Spain). Cases also occurred in Europe in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Yugoslavia. These cases have been well north and west of its normal distribution. It appears that the virus has spread from both Turkey and North Africa. Bluetongue has never previously been recorded in Great Britain.

6.3 Clinical signs can vary between species. Although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep, cattle can occasionally show signs of disease. Cattle are important in the epidemiology of Bluetongue as they often act as a silent source of Bluetongue Virus – a reservoir for disease which keeps the infection circulating. As at 6 November 2007 there were 61 confirmed premises affected by Bluetongue in the South and East of England. On confirmation that Bluetongue virus is present, movement restrictions are put in place and extended to a zone of 20km radius around the infected premises. Movements of susceptible animals out of these zones are banned although animals can move freely within those zones.

6.4 As Bluetongue is spread via vectors (i.e. midges), rather than from animal to animal, compulsory slaughter of ruminants infected with Bluetongue would not normally form part of the control strategy. It is generally accepted that Bluetongue will become endemic in the UK and plans are in place to carry out a nationwide vaccination program in order to protect stock and lessen any economic impact.

EFFECT ON THE WESTERN ISLES

7.1 FMD has had a considerable effect on the sheep and lamb trade over the autumn sales period. Decreased confidence and increased movement restrictions reduced the demand for stock from the Western Isles which ultimately led to a decrease in the demand and value of lamb and sheep.

7.2 On the basis of preventing any possible welfare problems the Scottish Government agreed to implement a Light Lamb Welfare Scheme which compensated producers for the lack of demand for small lambs (normally exported to Europe) as a result of the FMD outbreak. Lambs weighing less than 25kg could be entered into the scheme and compensation was set at £15 per lamb. Approximately 1300 lambs have entered the scheme from the Islands.

7.3 It is possible that the common midge found in the Western Isles could be a vector for BTV. If it eventually spreads to the Western Isles then a vaccination program would be implemented which would initially have an impact on the export status of the product. However, given that it is likely that eventually BTV will be endemic in virtually all of Europe, the export restrictions will become minimal and export restrictions should disappear.

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Appendix One