Earl Atleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether vehicles used to move animals culled during the foot and mouth outbreak can be satisfactorily cleaned so that they can be used to move grain during the forthcoming harvest; and what regulations are applicable; and [HL233]
What process could be used to clean and sterilise vehicles used to move animals culled during the foot and mouth outbreak but to be used for transport of grain in future; and [HL234]
What tests for cleanliness and food safety are available or appropriate for vehicles used to move animals culled during the foot and mouth outbreak but used for transport of grain in future and [HL235]
Whether there is any need to identify which vehicles have been used to move culled animals; and whether they will make that infomation widely available. [HL236]
§ Lord WhittyIf a vehicle is properly cleansed and disinfected after it has been used to move culled animals, it should be safe to be used for the transport of grain. However, we understand that there are concerns and officials will be meeting with industry representatives to discuss the matter.
225WAThe Foot and Mouth Order (1983) (as amended) sets out the legal requirements for the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles used for the carriage of carcases. The order does not include a requirement that such vehicles are identified to show that they had previously carried carcases.
Guidance on biosecurity in relation to the harvesting (including the movement) of grain is available on the DEFRA website at: http://defraweb/animalh/diseases/fmd/farmers/during/harvestfinal.PDF.
Annex 2 provides general guidance on cleansing and disinfection of vehicles. There is no commercial test for verifying the presence of the foot and mouth disease virus.