Foot and Mouth Controls

Summary Guide to permitting/control arrangements currently in operation for the movement of animals Position on 26 July 2001 

30 day holding rule (all species except goats)

á         Apart from young animals under 30 days being moved from the holding of birth, all animals being moved for sale must have spent at least 30 days on the source/sellerÕs holding.  Sold animals must remain on the next holding for no less than 30 days. 

Cattle

á         Movement of cattle farm to farm continues to be subject to permit (FMD 9).  Issuing agency is SWS Ltd, Bandon, Co. Cork.  See Appendix 1.

á         The operation of cattle sales at marts is allowed subject to compliance with a protocol for the conduct of such sales.  See Appendix 2.

á         Exemptions to the 30-day rule apply to  

(a)    animals moving to slaughter plants including for export to Northern Ireland for immediate slaughter

(b)    animals moving for live export through certain designated premises and approved export assembly points

(c)    in recognition of traditional trading patterns, persons who have applied for and received an authorisation (permit) from the local District Veterinary Office.  This exemption applies only to onward sales of cattle to another holding.  Onward sales to another mart or dealer are excluded.  See Appendix 3. 

 Pigs

á         There are no permitting restrictions on the movement of pigs between holdings or for slaughter.

á         The operation of pig sales at marts is allowed with effect from 16 July, subject to compliance with a protocol for the conduct of such sales.  See Appendix 4. 

 Sheep

á         Permitting arrangements for the movement of sheep (for slaughter or welfare grounds) have been discontinued.

á         Farm-to-farm sale of breeding ewes and rams is permitted from 26 July 2001.  Farm-to-farm sales of other categories of sheep are allowed from 7 August. Tagging and dispatch documents are required.

á         Movement of sheep onto or from commonages is allowed, subject to the sheep being ear-tagged and 24 hours advance notice of the movement to the local DVO.

á         Marts may assemble sheep for transport to slaughter at up to two factories on a single day.

á         As from 9 July, marts may hold specialised sales of breeding ewes and rams.  With effect from 7 August, full sheep sales are allowed.  See Appendices 5 and 6 for details of the protocols for the conduct of such sales. 

 Goats

á         The permitting arrangements for the movement of goats have been discontinued.  There are currently no restrictions on the movement of goats from farm to farm or for slaughter.  However, for traceability purposes, goat producers should put an identifying mark (flock mark) on any goats offered for sale and should keep a record of all vendors and purchasers. 

Horses

á         An FMD 4 movement permit is still required for the import of horses from UK.  Permitting arrangements for all other movements of horses have been discontinued. 

Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

26 July 2001

Appendix 1 

PERMITTING SYSTEM FOR MOVEMENT OF CATTLE FROM FARM TO FARM 

Type of Permit:  FMD 9 

Blank Application forms FMD 9A available from: District Veterinary Offices, Teagasc offices and DepartmentÕs website 

Permits issued by:  Issuing Agency - SWS Ltd, Bandon, Co. Cork 

Ground Rules

á        Apart from calves being moved from the holding of birth, all cattle to be moved must have spent at least 30 days on the source/sellerÕs holding. 

á        Separate permit required for each movement.

á        Permit is valid only for the cattle described on the document Ð tag numbers etc. of animals being transported must tally with details on permit.

á        Permit must be applied for within 10 days of proposed date of movement

á        Permit is valid for seven days.

á        All cattle permitted for movement must be accompanied by valid identification documentation.

á        Permit incorporates existing farm to farm movement notification requirements to CMMS. 

Mechanics of system

á        Seller/source herdowner completes FMD9a application form and sends it by post (freepost) or fax to the Issuing Agency, SWS Ltd., Bandon, Co. Cork.  Fax number is (023) 29160.

á        SWS Ltd records and checks the details against the CMMS database and issues an FMD 9 permit by post to the seller/source herd owner, provided tags and herd numbers are valid and compliant with CMMS.

á        Seller/source herdowner makes sure that the permit accompanies the cattle being transported.

á        Buyer/receiving herdowner confirms the arrival of each animal on the holding by completing and signing the bottom half of the permit and posting it by return to SWS. 

Prior Veterinary Certification Required:  No

Appendix 2 

PROTOCOL FOR THE OPERATION OF MARTS 

        WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE LEGAL

     REQUIREMENTS THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES SHOULD APPLY 

Acceptance of Animals 

á        Deal only with reputable and known suppliers;

á        Accept only properly identified and documented animals, which meet test requirements Ð if in doubt, do not accept the animals in question (in this regard it is imperative that vendors in their own interests present properly completed passports, properly tagged animals, all required supporting documents, etc.). 

Cleaning / Disinfection

á        Thoroughly wash down premises and disinfect after each livestock sale (and wherever possible at intervals in the course of sale days);

á        Keep drinking / feeding troughs clean and free of animal waste material;

á        Power wash all transport delivering / collecting animals before such vehicles leave the mart premises;

á        Advise clients when visiting mart premises to wear waterproof footwear (eg Wellington boots) which can be easily washed down;

á        Provide foot-baths at appropriate locations on premises;

á        Provide facilities for hand washing and for washing down footwear;

á        Provide signs on premises indicating the risk of disease, the need for precautionary / preventative measures and the availability on-site of washing facilities for vehicles and persons; 

Veterinary Presence

á        Ensure that there is an `on call` arrangement in place with a veterinary surgeon on each sale day; 

Identification, Documentation and Record Keeping

á        Record and retain the registration number of each vehicle delivering / collecting each consignment of animals;

á        Ensure strict adherence to all relevant requirements regarding movement permitting, animal identification and documentation and to requirements relating to the display of vendors names and addresses, test dates, etc.;

á        Maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors / buyers, including volumes of animals involved in dealings with each; 

á        Ensure strict compliance with all requirements in relation to record keeping and retention.

á        Transmit data on transactions to CMMS in full and on time. 

Species Mixing / Contact with Animals

á        Avoid where possible mixing of susceptible species; this is an imperative for the duration of the current programme of serological testing of sheep;

á        Restrict physical examination (e.g. mouth examination, etc.) of animals by buyers, in circumstances where they are likely to have had similar close contact with animals in other lots / from other herds or flocks; arrangements should be developed whereby the vendor might physically demonstrate the age / dentition of animals or provide suitable declarations to this effect; 

Suspicious / Unusual Transactions or Movements 

á        Report to DAFRD or the Garda Siochana any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock (such information can always be provided on a strictly confidential basis); 

Retention Period 

á        Animals presented for sale must have been `resident` on a holding for at least 30 days prior to movement to the mart; animals sold at a mart must (with the exception of animals being moved through approved assembly centres for export or in accordnace with the exemptions described at Appendix 3) remain on the next holding for no less than 30 days; unsold animals do not attract the 30 day retention requirement; 

Pick-Up / Delivery of Animals 

á        Multiple pick-ups and deliveries (including deliveries to farms) are permitted for movements to and from marts;

Appendix 3 

EXTENSION OF 30 DAY HOLDING RULE/GRANT OF EXEMPTIONS  

Date of Entry into force

Revised arrangements for cattle enter into force on 13 July 2001. 

Extension of 30 day rule/continuation of FMD 9 permit arrangements

In view of the continuing threat of Foot and Mouth disease from Great Britain, where cases continue to be confirmed at the rate of two to six per day, the 30 day retention rule has been extended to 1 November 2001.  Under this rule an animal may not be sold or supplied onward within a period of 30 days from time of purchase.  The current FMD 9 permitting arrangements for the movement of cattle from farm to farm are also retained. 

Exemptions to 30 day rule

In recognition of traditional trading patterns, certain exemptions to the 30 day rule will be granted to authorise the sale or supply of cattle to another holding or location within the 30 day period.  The purpose of such exemptions is to facilitate the purchase and onward sale of cattle by dealers within a controlled framework such that, in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Ireland, the disease can be contained. 

Conditions for grant of an exemption

The exemption will apply to onward sales of cattle to another holding or location but onward movement for sale to another mart is excluded. 

The exemption will apply only to fit and proper persons who have applied for and received an authorisation (permit) from the relevant District Veterinary Office. 

Without prejudice to the registration and approval process currently under way for dealers, to qualify for this exemption, a person must satisfy the DVO that he/she will 

1.  Engage in the buying or selling of properly identified animals only. 

2.  Observe the regulatory requirements regarding animal identification, animal movement, permitting, maintenance of records and notification of movements. 

3.  Observe the regulatory requirements in regard to Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis. 

4.  Maintain a separate premises in respect of dealing operations to be kept separate from all other livestock operations and managed in accordance with good farming practices.  Separation means a complete division of operations between the dealing business and any other business including farming/stock-breeding and implies: 

á        Separate entrances

á        Independent and separate facilities such as a separate crush, separate feeding area and water facilities

á        No inter-mixing of animals between the dealing and other businesses. 

5. Clear the premises of all animals at least on one day per week (fixed day to be nominated in advance by the dealer) and cleanse and disinfect the premises prior to the entry of any further consignments of animals.    

To qualify for the exemption, the premises used by the dealer must have adequate facilities for the purpose of inspection, isolation, loading, unloading, marshalling, watering, feeding, housing as appropriate, and treatment of animals. 

A person wishing to avail of the exemption must make written application to the relevant District Veterinary Office on the prescribed form.  Application forms are available at Department offices and on the web-site. 

Continuing requirement for an FMD 9 Cattle Movement Permit

The permitting arrangements for the movement of cattle from farm to farm are retained.  However, when cattle exempt from the 30 day rule are being moved from the dealerÕs premises to another holding, the normal farm to farm cattle movement notification form should be used to notify such movements to CMMS. 

Appendix 4

PROTOCOL FOR THE SALE OF PIGS AT LICENSED MARTS 

GENERAL 

á        Commencement date of 16 July 2001

á        Only licensed marts may engage in such sales.

á        Such marts must obtain prior approval from the relevant DVO for the conduct of such sales.

á        Sales may take place during normal working hours only.

á        Such sales may not take place on a day when cattle or sheep sales are taking place. 

ACCEPTANCE OF PIGS 

á        Marts should deal only with reputable and known suppliers and should accept only properly identified pigs Ð if in doubt, do not accept the pigs in question. 

CLEANING / DISINFECTION 

á        Premises should be thoroughly washed down and disinfected after each sale (and wherever possible at intervals in the course of sale days).

á        Drinking / feeding troughs should be kept clean and free of animal waste material.

á        All transport delivering / collecting pigs should be power washed before such vehicles leave the mart premises.

á        Clients visiting mart premises should be advised to wear waterproof footwear (e.g. Wellington boots) which can be easily washed down.

á        Foot-baths and disinfection facilities should be provided at appropriate locations on premises.

á        Facilities for hand washing and for washing down footwear should be provided.

á        Signs should be provided on premises indicating the risk of disease, the need for precautionary / preventative measures and the availability on-site of washing and disinfection facilities for vehicles and persons. 

VETERINARY PRESENCE 

á        Marts should ensure that there is an `on call` arrangement in place with a veterinary surgeon on each sale day. 

IDENTIFICATION, DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING 

á        Marts should record and retain the registration number of each vehicle delivering / collecting each consignment of pigs.

á        Marts should ensure strict adherence to all relevant requirements regarding identification. All pigs should be identified by means of a slap mark.

á        Marts should maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors / buyers, including the number of pigs involved.   

SPECIES MIXING / CONTACT WITH ANIMALS 

á        Marts must prohibit mixing of susceptible species.

á        Close physical examination of pigs by buyers should be avoided, in circumstances where they are likely to have had similar close contact with other susceptible animals. 

á        SUSPICIOUS / UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS OR MOVEMENTS 

á        Any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock should be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development or the Garda Siochana (such information can always be provided on a strictly confidential basis). 

RETENTION PERIOD 

Pigs presented for sale must have been `resident` on a holding for at least 30 days prior to movement to the mart.  Pigs sold at a mart must remain on the next holding for no less than 30 days unless going for slaughter. 

PICK-UP / DELIVERY OF ANIMALS 

á        Multiple pick-ups and deliveries (including deliveries to farms) are permitted for movements to and from marts. 

Appendix 5 

PROTOCOL FOR THE CONDUCT OF SPECIALISED SALES OF BREEDING EWES AND RAMS AT LICENSED MARTS 

GENERAL 

á        Commencement date of 9 July 2001

á        Only licensed marts may engage in such sales.

á        Such marts must obtain prior approval from the relevant DVO for the conduct of such sales.

á        Sales must be confined to breeding ewes and rams.  Store lambs and sheep for slaughter may not be sold.

á        Sales may take place during normal working hours only.

á        Such sales may not take place on a day when cattle sales are taking place.

á        Sheep sold at these sales must be for supply to holdings only and may not be re-entered for sale at another mart. 

ACCEPTANCE OF SHEEP 

á        Marts should deal only with reputable and known suppliers and should accept only properly tagged and documented sheep Ð if in doubt, do not accept the sheep in question. 

CLEANING / DISINFECTION

á        Premises should be thoroughly washed down and disinfected after each sale (and wherever possible at intervals in the course of sale days).

á        Drinking / feeding troughs should be kept clean and free of animal waste material.

á        All transport delivering / collecting sheep should be power washed before such vehicles leave the mart premises.

á        Clients visiting mart premises should be advised to wear waterproof footwear (e.g. Wellington boots) which can be easily washed down.

á        Foot-baths and disinfection facilities should be provided at appropriate locations on premises.

á        Facilities for hand washing and for washing down footwear should be provided.

á        Signs should be provided on premises indicating the risk of disease, the need for precautionary / preventative measures and the availability on-site of washing and disinfection facilities for vehicles and persons. 

VETERINARY PRESENCE 

á        Marts should ensure that there is an `on call` arrangement in place with a veterinary surgeon on each sale day. 

IDENTIFICATION, DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING 

á        Marts should record and retain the registration number of each vehicle delivering / collecting each consignment of sheep.

á        Marts should ensure strict adherence to all relevant requirements regarding ear-tagging and documentation.

á        Marts should maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors / buyers, including volumes of sheep involved in dealings with each. 

á        Marts should ensure strict compliance with all requirements in relation to record keeping and retention. 

SPECIES MIXING / CONTACT WITH ANIMALS 

á        Marts must avoid mixing of susceptible species; this is an imperative for the present time.

á        Physical examination (e.g. mouth examination, etc.) of sheep by buyers should be avoided, in circumstances where they are likely to have had similar close contact with sheep in other lots / from other flocks.  Arrangements should be developed whereby the vendor might physically demonstrate the age / dentition of sheep or provide suitable declarations to this effect. 

SUSPICIOUS / UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS OR MOVEMENTS 

á        Any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock should be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development or the Garda Siochana (such information can always be provided on a strictly confidential basis). 

RETENTION PERIOD 

á        Sheep presented for sale must have been `resident` on a holding for at least 30 days prior to movement to the mart.  Sheep sold at a mart must remain on the next holding for no less than 30 days.  Sheep sold at a mart may not be resold at another mart. 

PICK-UP / DELIVERY OF ANIMALS 

á        Multiple pick-ups and deliveries (including deliveries to farms) are permitted for movements to and from marts.

Appendix 6 

PROTOCOL FOR THE CONDUCT OF SHEEP SALES AT LICENSED MARTS 

GENERAL 

á        Commencement date of 7 August 2001

á        Only licensed marts may engage in such sales.

á        Such marts must obtain prior approval from the relevant DVO for the conduct of such sales.

á        Sales may take place during normal working hours only, unless prior permission has been received from the DVO.

á        Such sales may not take place on a day when cattle sales are taking place.

á        Sheep sold at these sales must be for supply to holdings only and may not be re-entered for sale at another mart. 

ACCEPTANCE OF SHEEP 

á        Marts should deal only with reputable and known suppliers and should accept only properly tagged and documented sheep Ð if in doubt, do not accept the sheep in question. 

CLEANING / DISINFECTION

á        Premises should be thoroughly washed down and disinfected after each sale (and wherever possible at intervals in the course of sale days).

á        Drinking / feeding troughs should be kept clean and free of animal waste material.

á        All transport delivering / collecting sheep should be power washed and disinfected before such vehicles leave the mart premises.

á        Clients visiting mart premises should be advised to wear waterproof footwear (e.g. Wellington boots) which can be easily washed down.

á        Foot-baths and disinfection facilities should be provided at appropriate locations on premises.

á        Facilities for hand washing and for washing down footwear should be provided.

á        Signs should be provided on premises indicating the risk of disease, the need for precautionary / preventative measures and the availability on-site of washing and disinfection facilities for vehicles and persons. 

VETERINARY PRESENCE 

á        Marts should ensure that there is an `on call` arrangement in place with a veterinary surgeon on each sale day. 

IDENTIFICATION, DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING 

á        Marts should record and retain the registration number of each vehicle delivering / collecting each consignment of sheep.

á        Marts should ensure strict adherence to all relevant requirements regarding ear-tagging and documentation.

á        Marts should maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors / buyers, including volumes of sheep involved in dealings with each. 

á        Marts should ensure strict compliance with all requirements in relation to record keeping and retention. 

SPECIES MIXING / CONTACT WITH ANIMALS 

á        Marts must avoid mixing of susceptible species; this is an imperative for the present time.

á        Physical examination (e.g. mouth examination, etc.) of sheep by buyers should be avoided, in circumstances where they are likely to have had similar close contact with sheep in other lots / from other flocks.  Arrangements should be developed whereby the vendor might physically demonstrate the age / dentition of sheep or provide suitable declarations to this effect.

SUSPICIOUS / UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS OR MOVEMENTS 

á        Any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock should be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development or the Garda Siochana (such information can always be provided on a strictly confidential basis). 

RETENTION PERIOD 

á        Sheep presented for sale must have been `resident` on a holding for at least 30 days prior to movement to the mart.  Sheep sold at a mart must remain on the next holding for no less than 30 days.  Sheep sold at a mart may not be resold at another mart. 

PICK-UP / DELIVERY OF ANIMALS 

á        Multiple pick-ups and deliveries (including deliveries to farms) are permitted for movements to and from marts.