Questions about Exercise Hornbeam -
sent by Bryn Wayt and working from the PA report figures supplied to the Press
Association by DEFRA:
1. Where were these 11
premises?
2. What tests were done on the
17,300 animals prior slaughter/post-mortem?
3. What incineration plants were
used?
4. What was the breakdown of the
slaughter figures? e.g. IP's / DC's / SOS - and
related animals.
5. How many vets were 'on the
ground', and where did they come from?
6. Did you vaccinate cattle as a
preventative measure, to stop the spread of disease?
7. As no vaccination policy
appeared to be enforced, what explanation was given? Please produce
the Press Release that would have been issued outlining the decision
process.
8. Assuming these foreign sheep
travelled overland (then across the Channel), what counter-FMD measures
were taken along the EU route (lairage) taken by the sheep, and what
happened at the source and surrounding farms?
9. Who did the valuations for the
slaughtered animals?
10. Dr Debby
Reynolds (CVO) said, "We also know we would have an available vaccine".
Ray Anderson down in Cornwall said the UK did not have enough
vaccine. Can you explain the disparity please?
11. Why are we importing live sheep
from another European country anyway - have we not enough of our
own?
12. What FMD "models" were used to
target the farms which were slaughtered out to the tune of
17,300 stock?
13. What have you done differently
from FMD 2001?
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Vaccination Considered in Mock Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak
By Graham Hiscott, PA News
EXCERPT
It is based on the assumption that,
after seven days, the disease would have been confirmed on 11 premises in
England, Scotland and Wales.
By that time, more than 17,300 animals would have been slaughtered and their carcasses disposed of through incineration or rendering.
The first hypothetical case was confirmed in cattle on a farm in the Cheshire village of Tattenhall. It was followed by cases in Cornwall, North Wales, Lincolnshire and the Highlands.
The disease is judged to have entered the country via infected sheep imported from another European country, unlike in 2001 when the exact source was never confirmed.
Dr Debby Reynolds, chief veterinary officer, told a press conference staged as if the outbreak were for real: “As we know, the published contingency plan requires us to consider emergency vaccination.
“We now know something about the virus that will help us: we know the strain. We also know we would have an available vaccine.”
As part of the exercise it is assumed that all movements of animals in England, Scotland and Wales were banned after the disease was confirmed, and that exports of sheep, pigs and other foot-and-mouth susceptible animals were halted.
Advice would also be issued to reassure the public they have no reason to stop visiting the countryside as long as they avoid contact with farm animals.
By that time, more than 17,300 animals would have been slaughtered and their carcasses disposed of through incineration or rendering.
The first hypothetical case was confirmed in cattle on a farm in the Cheshire village of Tattenhall. It was followed by cases in Cornwall, North Wales, Lincolnshire and the Highlands.
The disease is judged to have entered the country via infected sheep imported from another European country, unlike in 2001 when the exact source was never confirmed.
Dr Debby Reynolds, chief veterinary officer, told a press conference staged as if the outbreak were for real: “As we know, the published contingency plan requires us to consider emergency vaccination.
“We now know something about the virus that will help us: we know the strain. We also know we would have an available vaccine.”
As part of the exercise it is assumed that all movements of animals in England, Scotland and Wales were banned after the disease was confirmed, and that exports of sheep, pigs and other foot-and-mouth susceptible animals were halted.
Advice would also be issued to reassure the public they have no reason to stop visiting the countryside as long as they avoid contact with farm animals.
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Questions:
1. Where were these 11
premises?
2. What tests were done on the
17,300 animals prior slaughter/post-mortem?
3. What incineration plants were
used?
4. What was the breakdown of the
slaughter figures? e.g. IP's / DC's / SOS - and
related animals.
5. How many vets were 'on the
ground', and where did they come from?
6. Did you vaccinate cattle as a
preventative measure, to stop the spread of disease?
7. As no vaccination policy
appeared to be enforced, what explanation was given? Please produce
the Press Release that would have been issued outlining the decision
process.
8. Assuming these foreign sheep
travelled overland (then across the Channel), what counter-FMD measures
were taken along the EU route (lairage) taken by the sheep, and what
happened at the source and surrounding farms?
9. Who did the valuations for the
slaughtered animals?
10. Dr Debby
Reynolds (CVO) said, "We also know we would have an available vaccine".
Ray Anderson down in Cornwall said the UK did not have enough
vaccine. Can you explain the disparity please?
11. Why are we importing live sheep
from another European country anyway - have we not enough of our
own?
12. What FMD "models" were used to
target the farms which were slaughtered out to the tune of
17,300 stock?
13. What have you done differently
from FMD 2001?
As the government (a Labour
one) would never allow a Public Inquiry into a real FMD disaster or even
this simulated FMD fiasco, your answers to the 13 simple questions should not be
too difficult to account for.
Sincerely,
Captain Bryn Wayt
01435 864937
01435 864937