foot and mouth

[joe1]

Am I right in thinking that there is a foot and mouth vaccine available? If I am correct why is it that this disease can still cause problems?

[Kleiber]

You're right, there is a vaccine, but our government won't use it because (they say - I don't believe this) it would affect the quality of meat for human consumption. Personally, I think it all comes down to that old chestnut, cost. But then, I'm just a p****d off farmer, so they won't listen to me! It's coming up to sale season and then we should be tupping the ewes for next year's lambing. I don't have a ram any more, but can't move one in now. Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that the movement restrictions are right and this disease must be contained, if this outbreak is due to negligence at a laboratory, then the govt. has a lot to answer for. Sorry about getting on my soapbox - I just feel so angry! K

[horsestache1]

Kleiber, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

This morning I had a 6 page leaflett e-mailed to me from DEFRA, explaining about foot and mouth, and horses. It finished by saying foot and mouth does NOT affect horses.

How much did this cost to produce, how much did it cost to e-mail to all horses owners (I have never registered with a DEFRA site, so all information must have come from the horse passport agency, another fiddle), how much did this cost.

Would all of this money have been better spent on the vaccine, of course it would!!!!!!!

[Kleiber]

Agreed, horsestache - also agree that the horse passport is a waste of money. If this carries on for more than 6 weeks or so, there won't be any British lamb in the shops, we'll all be eating mutton (not that there's anything wrong with mutton!!) and lamb will be in short supply next spring.

[Goodsoulette]

Kleiber, best of luck to you. My mum and stepdad have been suffering for months cos of a TB (which they didnt have) and have now been hit with this. Theres another thread on here where people seem to think your lot (farmers) are sat round laughing and wiping your arses with the excess 50 quid notes you get from your subsidies.

[Kleiber]

What subsidies? I don't qualify as I'm not a commercial farmer. Thanks for your thoughts, Goodsoulette, it's nice to have someone on our side! K

[Noweia]

Vaccines aren't used here because with the best vaccines we have, it's impossible to tell the difference between a vaccinated and an infected animal. Thus to maintain the FMD-free status of the country, all vaccinated animals would have to be killed afterwards.

[joe1]

So - are you saying that - in effect - he vaccine is not worth having ??