Defra has started consulting on legislation to implement the European foot-and-mouth disease directive, which aims to introduce a consistent approach to tackling the disease across Europe.
It moves emergency vaccination to the forefront of control strategies, alongside the basic policy of slaughter of susceptible animals on infected premises and those identified as dangerous contacts. The government is legally obliged to implement the directive but there are some parts that leave room for national discretion and this is where Defra is inviting the views of stakeholders.
Defra's position is that animals on infected premises and their dangerous contacts would be culled. However, it would consider the role of emergency vaccination from the very start of an outbreak. The consultation covers England only and will close on September 1.
