BBC News | UK | At a glance: NFU disease report

The National Farmers' Union accuses the UK Government of failing to keep proper controls on the import of meat in its first full review of how the foot-and-mouth outbreak was handled.

Here are some of the key findings and recommendations of the report.

Current system of UK controls on meat imports are inadequate.

A full review of European Union legislation and controls covering both animal and plant imports is needed.

Government's contingency plan to deal with foot-and-mouth was inadequate.

Government therefore should be better prepared in future. Contingency plans should undergo regular review.

Simulation exercises should involve key players from the farming community.

Open pyres should be avoided and only used as a final resort.

The army should be involved at an early stage in complex civil emergencies.

Better liaison needed between state vets and other civil servants.

The government must give consistent advice to farmers about animal disease control strategies.

The government and the EU must explore how vaccination might be used as part of an alternative and more flexible foot-and-mouth control strategy within an agreed international framework.

Need for internationally validated tests to determine whether animals are infected and to distinguish between infected and vaccinated animals.

More veterinary auxiliaries to carry out administrative functions to allow fully trained vets to carry out clinical tasks.

Further research needed to establish likelihood of transmissibility of disease by public access to the countryside.

Interim compensation to be paid during a serious disease epidemic, and supplementary compensation when normal conditions are restored.

Cost-effective electronic identification and traceability of sheep must be developed and delivered to the industry as a matter of urgency.


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