UNDER present arrangements to control the spread of foot and mouth disease, farms within the 3km protection zone of an infected premises are issued with unlimited Form D restrictions. Animals may not move off premises unless licensed by the Ministry.

Some movements off Form D farms in the protection zone have already been allowed under licence. And now a new category has been added. It is now possible to move animals on to Form D premises, in certain circumstances, under licence.

This will allow, for example, recently-calved heifers to be brought back to their home farm in a protection zone from their temporary accommodation.

Farmers wishing to take advantage of these arrangements should contact their Divisional Veterinary Manager, either by telephone or in writing. The DVM will arrange for the necessary veterinary risk assessment to be carried out and, where appropriate, for a licence to be issued.

Updated: 09:22 Thursday, May 24, 2001