Latest news with #FootandMouth
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Holiday-makers face £5,000 for buying sandwiches at Duty Free on way home
Brits have been warned they could face a £5,000 fine and prosecution if they bring two common items back into the UK from their summer holiday - even if they were purchased at duty free British holidaymakers have been cautioned they could be hit with a hefty £5,000 penalty and face prosecution for bringing back two everyday items from their summer getaway - even if purchased duty-free. Travellers are now prohibited from returning with untreated meat and dairy products from overseas in fresh measures designed to halt the spread of Foot and Mouth disease. This means it's now against the law to transport lamb, pork, mutton and goat meat along with any products containing them, including sandwiches. The restriction also covers cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches featuring any of these components. The prohibition extends to items that are packaged or purchased at airports, reports the Express. Foot and Mouth disease is described as a "highly contagious viral disease" capable of killing cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed livestock. The infection can be transmitted through animal products and spreads rapidly, authorities have cautioned. A recent surge of cases affecting Hungary, Austria and Germany has prompted the UK's chief veterinarian to urge Britons to adhere to the fresh regulations. The illness can also trigger catastrophic economic consequences, with the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2001 estimated to have cost £15 billion in disease control expenses alone. Any passengers discovered with the prohibited goods must hand them over at the border, or risk having them confiscated and destroyed. In certain circumstances, individuals could face a £5,000 fine in England, or prosecution throughout Great Britain. The ban, introduced in April, is set to remain until the "personal import of affected products no longer poses a significant biosecurity risk to GB". However, the restrictions do not apply to those arriving into Great Britain from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, has urged holidaymakers to help protect farmers. She said: "I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation." Middlemiss further added: "This highly contagious disease causes considerable suffering to livestock and has a devastating economic and personal impact on farmers, who lose their prized animals." On 24 July, Baroness Hayman, the biosecurity minister, said: "We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country-doing so puts farmers' livelihoods at risk." She also mentioned that the ban reflects a "clear determination to safeguard our borders" and "maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity against Foot and Mouth disease is essential". Symptoms of Foot and Mouth disease vary depending on the animal, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue, a fever, reluctance to feed, and lameness. Meanwhile, in pigs and sheep, the signs are usually lameness and blistering. Farmers who suspect their livestock may have Foot and Mouth disease are urged to report it immediately by dialling 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, or contacting the local Field Services Office in Scotland.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on July 14, 2025
Opposition parties have slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa for placing under-fire Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a special leave rather than firing him following explosive allegations levelled against him. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Monday, July 14, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. 'The devil was with us': Fleurhof community reacts to mom charged with Jayden-Lee's murder Fleurhof community members have expressed shock to learn that the accused in Jayden-Lee Meek's murder is his own mother, saying she has to rot in jail. To read on, click here. Cape Town Lawyer Gary Trappler convicted for slashing tyres in alleged racially motivated attack on neighbour The Cape Town Magistrate's Court has found a prominent attorney Gary Trappier guilty of maliciously damaging his neighbour's property. To read on, click here. New foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Free State The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in the Free read on, click here. 'Protecting politically connected': Ramaphosa slammed for placing Mchunu on 'paid leave' Opposition parties have slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa for placing under-fire Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a special leave rather than firing him following explosive allegations levelled against him. To read on, click here. Weekend rescues: Western Cape hikers saved from peril A series of dramatic rescues unfolded across the Western Cape this past weekend as Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams raced to save hikers stranded by swollen rivers, injured on popular trails, and lost overnight in the mountains. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Foot and mouth disease outbreak spreads to the Free State
On 10 July, authorities confirmed the outbreak, which led to the immediate placement of the affected farm under quarantine. Image: File The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at a commercial farm located in Moqhaka Local Municipality, part of the Kroonstad State Veterinary area in the Free State. The situation arises as the region battles against a series of ongoing outbreaks across the country. On 10 July, authorities confirmed the outbreak, which led to the immediate placement of the affected farm under quarantine. The department on Monday said stringent control measures have been implemented, including enhanced surveillance and vaccination exercises to curb any potential spread of the disease, in response to the crisis. It said trace-back activities were currently underway to identify the source of the infection, with additional precautions taken to monitor farms within a 10-kilometre radius. This proactive approach aims not only to safeguard the affected commercial farm but also to protect the surrounding agricultural ecosystem from a more extensive outbreak. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The outbreak in the Free State is part of a larger crisis affecting South Africa, where a staggering 270 FMD outbreaks have been reported across five provinces as of July. Alarmingly, 249 of these outbreaks remain unresolved while 21 have undergone resolution, a situation that has raised significant concern among farmers and agricultural stakeholders nationwide. Despite no new cases reported in the Eastern Cape since September 2024, the persistence of the disease in KwaZulu-Natal underscores the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies to fortify livestock health across the nation. The department said Eastern Cape has recorded 40 outbreaks, with 38 still open and two resolved. KwaZulu-Natal has been the most affected province, with 191 reported outbreaks, of which 172 remain active and 19 have been resolved. Since May, Gauteng has reported 32 outbreaks, North West has four open outbreaks, while Mpumalanga has reported three outbreaks. The Department of Agriculture continues to monitor the situation closely and asserts that collaborative efforts will be crucial in controlling FMD spread, thus safeguarding both agricultural livelihood and food security. BUSINESS REPORT
Irish Examiner
23-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
March milk prices confirmed
Dairygold, Carbery, Tirlán, and Lakeland Dairies have all announced their March milk prices. Dairygold announced they will be maintaining their quoted milk price of 50cpl based on standard constituents of 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein, inclusive of sustainability and quality payments and VAT. Dairygold milk suppliers will receive, on average, a farm gate milk price of 55.3cpl based on average milk solids achieved for March 2025. A Company spokesperson commented that 'Dairy markets have remained generally stable, despite the ongoing, significant geopolitical risks. Global milk production remains relatively stable, but buyers remain cautious in advance of the EU peak milk supply, as well as the threat of tariffs.' For the first time in 2025, Carbery reduced its base milk price by 1cpl. With this reduction, if it is applied across all four West Cork co-ops; Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisvard, this will result in an average milk price of 52.12cpl, inclusive of VAT, and a 0.5cpl somatic cell count (SCC) bonus and FutureProof sustainability bonus, excluding VAT. A spokesperson for Carbery said: "Our milk price has been strong since the beginning of the year. Our adjustment this month is bringing milk price more in line with actual market performance.' Farmers supplying Tirlán will receive a total of 50.08cpl, including VAT, for March at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein. This price is made up of a base milk of 49.58cpl (including VAT), a reduction also of 1cpl from February and a Sustainability Action Payment of 0.5cpl (including VAT) to all qualifying suppliers. The actual average price paid by Tirlán for March creamery milk, based on delivered constituents, will be 55.24cpl (including VAT). Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said: 'While dairy markets are relatively stable, our milk price required a realignment to reflect market returns. Overall, supply and demand are generally in balance. Global milk supply growth is weak, with Bluetongue, Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth negatively impacting milk production in some regions. There is considerable uncertainty about the potential impact of tariffs in the coming months. The Board will continue to monitor developments on a monthly basis.' Lakeland Dairies has decided to keep its February milk price for March. A base price of 48.75cpl (3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein) will be paid for March milk in Ireland, which is inclusive of the 0.5cpl Sustainability Incentive Payment. The Chairperson of ICMSA's Dairy Committee, Noel Murphy, has called for a reversal of cuts made to the February milk price. 'The 'Trump drama' is a medium-to-long-term concern but has no impact on current pricing and must not be used as an excuse to reduce milk price for March. There's a long way to go before we see the true implications of the US imposition of swingeing tariffs, and it's not wise or prudent to anticipate or even guess what's going to happen in the coming months. "The global milk market is in a good position, and with the weather doing its best to drive production across the country, those setting the price should be looking to sunnier days too. There's an unanswerable case to reverse the cuts to February milk price and deliver market returns in excess of 50cpl base price', he said. Mr Murphy said the justification for milk price cuts appears to be based on reductions of 'spot' prices. These February 'spot' prices have not only reversed, but prices have also improved for butter, skimmed milk powder (SMP), and whole milk powder (WMP) during March. The latest Dutch dairy quotations, published on April 16, show that fresh butter price has reduced by €50, resulting in €7,250/t net ex-works, WMP down by €80, resulting in €4300/t, and SMP down by €40, resulting in €2,390/t. As of April 15, Global Dairy Trade (GDT) has reported an overall increase of 1.6% in the GDT Price Index, resulting in an average price of €3,854/t. GDT Price Index also reports an increase of 1.5% in butter, making the weighted average price €6,750/t and an increase of 2.8% for WMP, resulting in a weighted average price of €3,666/t. SMP has seen a reduction of 2.3% on the GDT Price Index, bringing its weighted average price to €2,457.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Cattle auction linked to new cases of Foot and Mouth Disease in KZN
The Ministry of Agriculture is concerned about the rising cases of Foot and Mouth Disease in KZN and have urged farmers to limit animal movement The Department of Agriculture has confirmed new positive cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in livestock in the Newcastle and Bergville areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The outbreak has been traced to an auction held in Utrecht, northern KZN, in February, officials said today. The Ministry of Agriculture said that a 'traceback epidemiological investigation' linked the outbreak to the auction and reiterated that the National Biosecurity and Movement Controls Control measures which were introduced in October 2022 remain in effect. Joylene van Wyk the spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture said that records of all the animals that were at the auction were obtained and that 'trace-forward exercises' were also being conducted. 'These include clinical examinations of animals on recipient farms to detect signs of FMD, as well as the collection of blood samples to determine prior exposure or vaccination. On one farm in Mpumalanga, cattle tested positive for FMD antibodies. Although these animals are not showing any clinical signs of the disease, the farm has been placed under quarantine and further investigations are ongoing,' she said. The Ministry warned that the incubation period of FMD ranged from two to 14 days and that during this period animals could appear clinically healthy before showing any visible signs typically associated with FMD. 'This highlights the critical importance of separating newly acquired animals from the resident herd for at least 28 days, even if a health attestation has been issued for the animals. Both the health attestation and the 28-day separation have been legal requirements since October 2022,' said Van Wyk. As part of the control measures, owners of cloven-hoofed livestock must present a health declaration for the movement of the animals across South Africa. Newly introduced cattle, sheep, or goats must be isolated from resident herds for at least 28 days, she said. The Ministry has also urged farmers to limit animal movement and exercise caution when procuring animals. 'Any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) must be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances. The Act prescribes certain control measures, like isolation and movement control, that are being enforced by Veterinary Services' the Ministry said.
