Another foot-and-mouth disease outbreak hits Britain
Britain is facing disaster after a second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in little more than a month, a hammer-blow to the industry that left livestock farmers stunned. A movement ban on pigs and ruminants including cattle and sheep has been imposed in England, and Scottish and Welsh authorities ordered similar arrangements. No movements of susceptible animals are allowed except under permit. The new case came less than a day after EU veterinary experts agreed to declare Britain free of FMD from 9 November and lift a ban on all exports of British meat, dairy and live animals, after was found on two farms in Surrey in July and August. – Alan Harman
Save livestock from extinction
UN FAO report said at least one livestock breed a month had become extinct over the past seven years, with its genetic characteristics lost forever. Around 20% of the world’s breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry are now at risk of extinction. he rate of extinction is alarming in view of the crucial role diverse genetic resources could play in mitigating the effects of global warming, the UN FAO said. “Wise management of the world’s animal genetic resources is of ever greater importance,” assistant director general Alexander Muller told a conference on animal genetic resources for food and agriculture in Switzerland. “The options that these genetics offer for maintaining and improving animal production will be of enormous significance in the coming decades,” Muller said. “Climate change and the emergence of new and virulent livestock diseases highlight the importance of retaining the capacity to adapt our agricultural production systems.” he FAO says widely used breeds also need to be managed more wisely. In many cases, within-breed genetic diversity is being undermined by the use of a few highly popular sires for breeding. – Alan Harman
