The RA has welcomed the latest news from Defra today, that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) movement restrictions have now been lifted in most parts of the country.
The current outbreak of the disease began on the 3rd of August on a farm in Surrey, and eight cases were subsequently confirmed. In response, the Government imposed movement restrictions in East Anglia, the South East and the East Midlands.
Now, all FMD movement restrictions outside of Risk Area have been lifted along with the Protection Zone around the infected premises in the Surrey area. The FMD Surveillance Zone and FMD Risk Area - covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex - will remain in place and movement restrictions continue to apply in these areas. The earliest date the Surveillance Zone will lift is the 5 November.
Janet Davis, RA Rights of Way policy co-ordinator, comments: "The easing of FMD movement restrictions is good news for the farmers in those areas, who have been so beleaguered at this difficult time."
The RA has also praised the Government's swift response to the outbreak, including the decision not to impose a blanket ban on the countryside. RA Chairman, Kate Ashbrook, comments: "Walkers spend roughly £6billion in the countryside each year and are a vital resource for the rural economy. Their absence during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 bankrupted hundreds of rural businesses. Nearly 90% of local authorities closed almost all rural paths in England and Wales even though only a quarter experienced an outbreak. This must not happen again and we are thankful that the government has demonstrated that lessons have been learned."
For the latest information regarding the lifting of rights of way closures visit the Surrey County Council website at:
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/
The Countryside Is Open
- Advice to walkers and other visitors to the countryside:
* Walks need not be cancelled or routes of planned walks altered unless in the Protection Zone in which case any official notices regarding closures of footpaths or access to land should be complied with.
* This new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is in its very early stages and further information is awaited. If you have any doubts about path or land closures in the affected area please consult the Defra website and that of Surrey County Council.
* Farmers and landowners, particularly in the south-east, will be worried about this latest outbreak so please use disinfectant buckets, pads and brushes where these have been provided and clean boots and shoes thoroughly between walks. Other than in the Protection Zone access can be exercised normally but please follow these simple guidelines when walking through land on which animals are kept: avoid all contact with farm and wild animals, keep dogs under close control on a short lead if required to do so, and do not drop litter or food - take it home with you.
* If you find any unofficial notices, erected by farmers or landowners, or other activities which suggest that paths have been closed or that access to land is restricted then notify the relevant highway or access authority immediately and also notify RA office staff so that we can monitor any such incidents. (In England please contact Janet Davis, 020 7339 8538, JanetD@ramblers.org.uk; in Scotland please contact Ian McCall, 01577 861222, IanM@ramblers.org.uk in Wales please contact Mike Mills, 029 2064 4308 mikem@ramblers.org.uk
For further information:
DEFRA
The Scottish Government
The Welsh Assembly Government
Surrey County Council
