Issue 27 Autumn 2007
more from
www.moredun.org.uk
Moredun Response to FMD Outbreak August 2007 The announcement on Friday 3 August 2007 that Foot and Mouth disease was once again present in the UK elicited a response from Moredun in line with its position as a leading animal health and welfare organisation with strong links to the farming community. With biosecurity foremost in the minds of senior management, an emergency meeting was held on the morning of Monday 8 August. This meeting drew together the relevant members of staff who were able to make urgent decisions on how Moredun would conduct its business in light of the newly imposed restrictions issued by Defra. In order to protect livestock on site at Pentlands Science Park the following actions were taken: • No animal movements, including those from Moredun’s own farm; • Farm gates were closed with no vehicular access; • Disinfectant mats for visitors on foot were placed at access points to the farm; • Those living in livestock farms, or those who had been in contact with
livestock since confirmation of the outbreak on Friday 3 August, were forbidden to enter the farm at Pentlands Science Park. This exclusion applied to visitors in addition to staff and tenants of the science park. • All diagnostic and research samples arriving at Moredun were subject to a strict reception procedure where every sample received was treated as being suspect. Perhaps the most difficult decision to be made was the postponement of the Moredun Open day scheduled for Friday 10 August. With the event
Moredun’s farm closed its gates and prohibited all vehicle access during the recent FMD outbreak
imminent and the arrangements finalized, this announcement was a great disappointment to both those involved in the preparations and to the hundreds of invited guests due to attend. However we are hopeful that the FMD outbreak will be declared over soon and when restrictions are lifted we can announce the rescheduled date for the Open Day.
In this Issue
Your Opportunity to Shape Future Research Strategies Do you want to contribute to the formation of the future research strategy in Scotland? The Scottish Executive is seeking views on its future Environment, Rural and Marine Research Strategy, and a group (SNIFFER) has been commissioned to conduct an initial scoping review over the next three months. The aim of this review is to collect the views of a wide range of stakeholders on the policy and scientific challenges
in the environment, rural and marine sectors that Scotland will face over the next 30 years. As a main research provider for the Scottish Executive, Moredun is keen that its members and supporters register their views on the areas of research they feel should be considered in future research strategies. You have until 29 September to contribute by submitting your comments and ideas through the following website http://www.researchhorizons.org.uk
On the alert for Bluetongue ……………… 3 HRH supports collaboration …………… 3 Sheep scab update ……
4
New grants ……………… 5 Animal Health Roadshow dates ………
6
Staff pages ……………… 7