Off-road suffers with 'Foot & Mouth' return
By TMX Archives on 20th Sep 07
JUST four-days after all restrictions from the August outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease' had been lifted, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, confirmed another outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on Wednesday, September 12.
This latest infection is at Milton Park Farm,Egham, Surrey, a farm operating across a number of parcels of land,just ten-miles away from the Pirbright laboratory, source of theinitial outbreak.
A pre-emptive slaughter was immediately orderedand a 10km (6.2-mile) control zone was set up around the variousparcels of land used by the farm. DEFRA, the Department forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs, said that cattle and pigs atanother farm nearby were also slaughtered on suspicion of infection.
A national movement ban - affecting cattle, sheep,pigs and other ruminants - was immediately imposed throughout England,and parallel arrangements were being made by the Scottish and Welshadministrations.
Then, on Friday, test results on the cattle culled at a second Surrey farm came back positive for FMD'.
The precautionary' cull of animals had takenplace at Stroude Farm, Egham, near the scene of the outbreak discoveredlast Wednesday.
Jim Parker, Chairman of the ACU, once againoffered his condolences to farmers who must be completely devastated bythis latest news. Off-road motorcycle sport is totally dependant on thegoodwill of farmers for the use of their land.
In August a small number of events were cancelledor postponed, and both competitors and organisers fully understand theconcerns and reasons behind the cancellations.
As the Isle of Man quickly reinstated disinfectantpolicies on all traffic into the island last Wednesday evening, the ACUreceived news from the organisers of the largest event that may be atrisk, the Trials des Nations (TdN), scheduled for September 28-30, onthe island. A representative of Peveril MCC, said: ''...with conditionsas they are at present the event will take place, althoughunderstandably, the local authorities will be instigating precautionarymeasures to ensure FMD' is not carried onto the island."
The routes of the various events scheduled that weekend are restricted to coastal areas, well away from farmland.
Late last week discussions were ongoing regardingthe weekend's round of the British Solo Trials series. The venue, HookWoods Trials Centre, at West Horsley, is on private land away fromfarmland. It is just a few miles outside the Protection Zone but itdoes fall within the boundaries of the larger Surveillance Zone. Theorganisers set up disinfectant procedures on the entrance to the venue.One competitor, from a farming background, voluntarily withdrew hisentry.
Two major events which were adversely affectedlast weekend were the Pre-70 Inter Centre Team Trial, organised byCongleton and DMCC at Mow Cop, Cheshire, and the British Sidecar Trialsround, organised by the Yeadon Guiseley club at Fellbeck, near PateleyBridge. Both events were cancelled following discussions with theland-owners as both included land on which cattle graze. Congleton ishoping to find an alternative date for its event later in the year.
The National Travers Trophy Trial, due to be heldin Weardale, Co Durham on Sunday, September 30, was the latest majortrials casualty.
Other events reported to T+MX which have been cancelled as a result of the FMD' outbreak are:-
Sep 22: Eboracum MC. Rd 6 Club Trials Champs, at Hobb House, Rosedale.
Sep 23: Richmond & DMC. Centre Crackpot Trial at Gunnerside, near Reeth.
Sep 30: Newcastle & DMC. National Travers Trophy Trial, at St John's Chapel, Weardale, Co Durham.
Sep 30: Yorkshire Classic MCC. Captain's Trial at Castle Carr Estate, Wainstalls, Halifax.
Oct 6: Ripon MCC. Club Acklams Series Trial.