Latest Foot and Mouth Outbreak - Access to the Countryside
This week we've been getting phone calls from customers concerned about the latest outbreak of foot and mouth (FMD) that has occurred on a beef farm near Guildford in Surrey. The North Downs Way runs quite close to the affected area. However I spoke to the Manager with responsiblity for the North Downs Way (NDW) yesterday and he informed me that the NDW National Trail remains open throughout its full length. If there are any changes to this we will post the advice on this web-site.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has posted the following statement on its web-site:
Despite the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a farm in Surrey, the countryside remains open. There is no need for people to stop visiting the countryside and, at the present time, the only impacts on visitor attractions are those which result from the restrictions on animal movements and animal gatherings.
However, footpaths and bridleways on infected premises are closed and the Chief Veterinary Officer has taken a decision to close the footpaths and bridleways in the first Protection Zone. This decision is based on the latest veterinary risk analysis and is in light of the number of cases in PZ 1 and the proximity to the main area under investigation. Also, a number of footpaths directly around infected holdings have also been closed to ensure that operations at the sites can continue. The situation will be kept under review.
More information about the current situation can be found at the DEFRA website, which can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/latest-situation/index.htm
