§ Lord Blakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
During the 1967–68 epidemic of foot and mouth disease, what was the lapse of time, after the last case of the disease to occur, before the area affected was permitted to be used again in the normal way. [HL1414]
§ Baroness HaymanRestrictions on the movement of people or animals to or from infected premises were withdrawn 28 days after the completion of cleansing and disinfection of the premises, or 42 days after the 59WA slaughter of animals (whichever was earlier). If there had been a number of outbreaks in close proximity, these periods related to the last local case. Restocking was generally allowed after the original restriction notice was withdrawn.
Infected areas were reduced to a radius of five miles around the infected premises 14 days after confirmation of the outbreak. If no further outbreaks were confirmed in the following week, all restrictions were removed. If there were a number of outbreaks in one area, restrictions were kept in force for the respective number of days after the last case in the area.
Controlled area restrictions were usually removed as soon as all in-contact animals had been located and slaughtered or placed under restrictions and observed.
There were special arrangements for restocking in areas where there had been heavy and persistent infection. Farmers could restock with up to 50 animals, but restocking with sheep was not permitted because of the difficulty of recognising early signs of the disease in sheep. Movement controls were maintained for a further six weeks, at which point restocking with sheep was allowed.