Trading Standards officers are thanking Cumbrian livestock owners for their "widespread compliance" to animal movement restrictions brought in by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey.
The first case was confirmed on August 3 and no cases have been reported in Cumbria. DEFRA subsequently eased animal movement restrictions outside the protection zone in Surrey so that stock can be moved up to 3 km around their holding for welfare matters. This is on top of the relaxation of restrictions announced earlier this month which allowed animals to be transferred directly to slaughter under strict biosecurity controls and dead livestock to be collected from farms.
Collection centres have now been set up at auction marts in the county to enable livestock to be transported in large quantities for slaughter at abattoirs across the country.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Trading Standards, said: "The vast majority of Cumbrian farmers have been sticking to the regulations and acting responsibly. We thank them for their patience and compliance at this difficult time. The opening of collection centres will be further welcome news to the industry.
"There's been a number of enquiries on what is and isn't allowable - including one about whether two llamas were allowed to be at a wedding ceremony. We've been dealing we've these, but there's also a DEFRA helpline people can go to."
A team of four Cumbria Trading Standards Animal Health & Welfare officers have been patrolling the county and checking hauliers alongside the police to help ensure the regulations are enforced.
People can contact the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Follow this link to view a complete technical briefing complied by DEFRA