RE: BVA adds voice to calls for suspension of imports from bluetongue areas

Phil Elkins — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:29:47 GMT

The 2001 outbreak of FMDV was a shining example of how the current system of farming involving large movements of stock large distances including across obvious geographical borders was not in the interests of biosecurity of the UK as a country, and also of farmers as a business.

Whilst large numbers of cattle and sheep continue to be imported/exported, and the current agricultural market system continues, the UK will never be safe from new diseases, which will spread rapidly throughout the country.

Is it likely that BTV will be transported to other islands? I doubt it. Any other island which relies on agriculture to the extent that we do has far stricter regulations on the movement of livestock and livestock products across their borders - take Australia and New Zealand for example.

Once again Britain is the creator of its own downfall.