Passport call to prevent FMD spread

Researchers blame flaws in the supply chain

New measures are needed to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, according to a report from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Researchers claim that another outbreak could spread as quickly and easily as the 2001 epidemic under current practices.

They recommend that sheep are tagged in the same way that cattle were after the onset of BSE.

The university report is calling for an overhaul of the entire supply chain in the UK, which it describes as "complex".

Animal passports

It blames what it calls the "fat lamb" supply chain.

A "fat lamb" is a young sheep that is being fattened for slaughter.

The supply chain includes farmers, auctioneers, livestock dealers and abattoirs - to food retailers.

The report from the University's Institute of Logistics and Transport claims animals pass though several markets and farms across the country before reaching the abattoir - and many of those movements are not documented.

The report, published on Tuesday, says mechanisms such as passports and tagging must be introduced.

Steps taken

Such movements should also be minimised, by locating abattoirs and auctions closer to each other, and to farms.

Michael Bourlakis, lead researcher at the Centre for Rural Economy, said: "If these recommendations are implemented, it could result in a shorter, more transparent and customer-focused chain, aided by a two-way information flow between the fat lamb chain members."

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a number of steps had already been taken, such as individual identification for sheep and goats from February 1.

The risk of spreading disease through livestock markets would also be minimised by the six-day restriction on animal movements due to take effect on 4 March, it added.