§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the recent outbreak of Equine Viral Arteritis in the United Kingdom, they will consider its designation as a notifiable disease.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)The Government have decided that, for the following reasons, EVA should not be made notifiable. First, 37WA there is no requirement in EC law for the disease to be made notifiable. Second, movement restrictions would have to be applied to horses on infected premises and could not be removed from those animals that were permanent carriers. This would cause financial hardship out of all proportion to the severity of the disease.
The UK thoroughbred industry has for some time operated a voluntary code of practice for the prevention and control of EVA, which includes guidance on the appropriate measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease. The code is considered to be an effective means for stud owners and others to protect their animal health status, and its use is commended to all sectors of the equine industry.