-Caveat Lector-
Tuesday, 17 April, 2001, 06:18 GMT 07:18 UK
Government under vaccine pressure
There is still much confusion over the issue of vaccination Ministers are
being urged to make a decision on whether to vaccinate against foot-and-
mouth disease, despite continued opposition from many farmers.
The government's Cobra emergency management team is expected to
agree by the end of the week to vaccinate around 500,000 cows before
their return to pasture for the summer.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Professor David King said he
expected an "imminent" decision on the issue, after trying to convince
farmers in Cumbria on Monday.
Meanwhile travel chiefs from around the world are due to arrive in Britain on
Tuesday to tour the countryside hit by foot-and-mouth disease.
As part of a four-day summit, organised by the British Tourist Authority, 40
leaders of international travel associations will be shown around the UK.
The idea is to convince them Britain is safe and "open for business"
despite the outbreak.
Over the Easter period the English Tourism Council said many rural beauty
spots had seen low visitor numbers as crowds of tourists headed for
coastal areas.
In Northern Ireland a ban on the movement of all farm animals has been
enforced, after a third case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed in the
province.
The Northern Ireland executive is holding an emergency meeting at
Stormont on Tuesday to discuss the crisis.
Vaccination implications
Ministers in London have discussed the practical implications of carrying
out a limited vaccination programme, including the need to address a
number of public health issues.
The Food Standards Agency advised that:
No raw milk from vaccinated cattle can be sold if it is not heat treated.
Meat from vaccinated cattle cannot be sold until 30 days after vaccination.
It can only be sold if it is heat treated, cross checked and transported in
sealed containers.
But, with the number of cases now at 1,341, ministers remain cautious
about whether a programme of immunisation would be the best course of
action.
Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has said no decision will be taken until
farmers have been consulted about vaccinating animals unaffected by the
virus.
Many farmers are concerned vaccination is of limited effectiveness and
would delay the return of Britain's "disease-free" status, necessary before
meat and milk exports can be resumed.
Shadow Agriculture Minister Tim Yeo MP said: "The longer the government
dithers over vaccination, the more their failure to control foot-and-mouth
disease is exposed.
"Having failed to carry out the slaughter policy effectively, ministers must
now make clear without delay what the scientists recommend on
vaccination."
"We will support new measures to control foot-and-mouth disease provided
they are based upon sound science."
Export status
Prof King told BBC News 24 vaccination was not an alternative to the mass
cull.
He said the programme was not likely to have any effect on the length of
time it takes for Britain to regain its disease-free export status.
NFU president Ben Gill told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that leading
experts still thought vaccination was not the answer and said he was still
waiting for the government's response to 50 questions needed to assuage
farmers' doubts.
The army has said it already has half a million doses of vaccine and has
the resources to support vaccination if that path is chosen.
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