FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - EXPORT RULES

The Quickest Way to Restore Export Status

International Export Rules 

Rules for the conduct of international trade in respect of foot and mouth disease are set out in the "International Health Code - 2000" published by the Office International des Epizooties (World Organisation for Animal Health) in Paris. Chapter 2.1.1. refers. 

In relation to the current foot and mouth epidemic in the UK, and our ability to export with and without vaccination, Articles 2.1.1.2 and 2.1.1.3 apply. Respectively, these relate to "FMD free" countries where "vaccination is not practiced" and "FMD free" countries where "vaccination is practiced". 

To qualify for disease-free status, where vaccination is not practiced, the country must demonstrate that there has been no outbreak and no vaccination for the last 12 months. In other words, in relation to the current epidemic, we get our "disease-free status" back one year after the last time we used vaccine or after the last outbreak, whichever is the later. 

If we use vaccine now, to contain and cut short the outbreak, we will still be getting outbreaks after we vaccinate, but the last outbreak will occur before it would otherwise have occurred if we did not use vaccine. Therefore, under OIE rules, we would regain our disease-free status sooner if we vaccinate. 

On the other hand, if we wished to go for FMD free status "where vaccine is practiced", we would have to wait two years from the last outbreak before we qualify. But there is no intention to continue vaccination beyond that which is necessary to contain the epidemic and eliminate infection, so this rule would not apply to our present situation. 

Nowhere in the OIE code does it specify or require that vaccinated animals are slaughtered and nor would it make any difference whatsoever to the speed with which the UK returns to foot and mouth free status. The operative date, from when disease-free status kicks in, is determined by the last date of vaccination (or the last outbreak, as the case may be). Whether animals are slaughtered or not is irrelevant. Any which way the situation is assessed, the key is to eliminate the infection as soon as possible and end the outbreaks. Since vaccination would speed up this process, this is the most logical option. 

The EU Rules 

Community rules dealing with foot and mouth are set out in Council Directives 85/511/EEC and 90/423/EEC. However, restrictions on movement - i.e., export to other member states - are dealt with in Directive 64/432/EEC (as amended by 89/662/EEC) applies. Article 4a prohibits intra-community trade in animals: "from a Member State which has, during the previous 12 months, practised prophylactic vaccination or has had recourse, in exceptional cases, to emergency vaccination on its territory". 

In this context, the restriction which applies to the trade in vaccinated animals - of 12 months - is in any event over-ridden by the prohibition of sale of animals (article 3) from territories which have not been free from foot and mouth for 12 months, which brings the EU law in conformity with the OIE rules. 

Therefore, under EU rules, the application of emergency vaccination would be the fastest way of restoring the export trade. 

Slaughter of Vaccinated Animals 

There is no requirement in either domestic or EU law for vaccinated animals to be slaughtered. Nor would the UK's "disease-free" status be delayed - as long as vaccination was used only for emergency purposes, rather than for routine prevention. Nor is there any difficulty under the rules - during the year's "quarantine" - from selling either milk or meat on the domestic markets. Whether we vaccinate or not, controls will remain in place until clearance is given. 

Richard North 
29 March 2001 

ends. 

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