Today, at long last, USDA issued a press release on this horrible
problem. While driving home from delivering some lamb cuts, I heard on
NPR that FMD had spread to two countries in Europe.
I've corresponded briefly with a shepherd in Britain, and sympathize so
much with the awful not-knowing, going about daily routines, not
knowing, going to get groceries, and returning home, and the nagging
not-knowing.
Raising livestock is full of not-knowing's. Each year I've learned to
prepare myself for the inevitable loss of a ewe or two, the still born
lambs, the drought, or the blizzard, or the flood. We've survived a barn
fire here, and last year dealt with an abortion storm. So I know a
little about not-knowing. But what the people in Britain and now Europe
are going through drawfs any not-knowing I've ever experienced.
Well, here's the latest from USDA.
Mary
====
Release No. 0044.01
Kevin Herglotz (202)
720-4623
Kimberley Smith (301)
734-6464
USDA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO GUARD AGAINST
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) today
announced it is temporarily prohibiting the importation of animals and
animal products from the
European Union into the United States.
This temporary action is being taken following confirmation of
foot-and-mouth disease in
France. On February 21, USDA announced similar actions regarding the
United Kingdom and
Northern Ireland. These measures are part of a coordinated prevention
program to ensure the
disease does not spread into the United States.
In recent weeks, USDA has stepped up measures to guard against
foot-and-mouth disease.
These actions include:
· Temporarily prohibiting the importation of animals and animal
products from the European
Union into the United States. These restrictions augment those already
in place on ruminants and
ruminant products to prevent the introduction of BSE into the U.S.;
· Prohibiting travelers from carrying into the United States any
agricultural products, particularly
animal products, that could spread the disease. Passengers are required
to identify any farm contact
to Customs and USDA officials. All baggage is subject to inspection.
Violations could result in
penalties of up to $1,000;
· Sending a team of experts (40 federal, state and University
officials) to the European Union to
monitor, evaluate and assist in containment efforts;
· Heightened alert at ports of entry and airports to ensure
passengers, luggage and cargo are
checked as appropriate. This includes placing additional inspectors and
dog teams at airports to
check incoming flights and passengers;
· Heightened alert and coordination with state agriculture
officials and other USDA officials
stationed around the globe to monitor the situation; and
· Public education campaign that includes additional signage in
airports, public service
announcements, information hotline, website, and other tools to inform
the public about this important
issue and steps they can take to prevent it from entering the United
States.
FMD is a highly contagious and economically devastating disease
of ruminants and swine. The
United States has been free of FMD since 1929. FMD is one of the animal
diseases that livestock
owners dread most because it spreads widely and rapidly and because it
has grave economic
consequences. Humans are not susceptible to the disease.
Current information on foot-and-mouth disease and traveler
questions and answers are available
on the Internet at http://www.usda.gov.
#
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