Animal diseases which are of most concern to us in Dorset are those which are highly contagious and cause high fatality rates amongst our livestock or may infect people.
Animal diseases in the UK are thankfully rare. For those that occur on an annual basis, such as bird flu, the management of infected birds is achieved through a well practiced process. In the past outbreaks of animal disease have been really severe, such as foot-and-mouth disease in cows and sheep in 2001. This led to significant changes both in respect of Government legislation and also the way the UK handles the food for animals.
Impact
- Damage to our agricultural and tourist economy in Dorset
- Mass cull / disposal of animal carcasses to stop the disease spreading
- Cost to the UK economy from lost income in farms and meat processing businesses
Consequences
- Increased food costs to consumers
- Impact on businesses who have been unable to trade
- The public feel unsure about buying meat products, such as beef and lamb
What you can do
Animal disease is something that many of us will never encounter. Being aware of local advice in Dorset, and also at a national level, through the Government’s Animal and Plan Health Agency, is definitely worthwhile.
