Alternative Methods – RAPID´Chromogenic Media
Bio-Rad
Future foot and mouth disease epidemics in the UK could spread as quickly and easily as the 2001 outbreak unless changes are made to the fat lamb supply chain, according to research published today, almost two years after the first case was confirmed.
The report, published by the University of Newcastle's Centre for Rural Economy and the Institute of Logistics and Transport (ILT), claims that the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 2001 exposed the "poor logistics mechanisms and practices" throughout the supply-chain. It stressed that the chain is characterised by a large number of animal movements, many of which go unrecorded.
The supply chain is composed of a large number of different people and organisations - including farmers, auctioneers, livestock dealers, abattoirs and food retailers - all of whom carry out a variety of different transactions.
According to the report, although sheep are taken through the different stages in the chain, some passing through several markets and farms across the country before reaching the abattoir, many of the animals' movements are not documented.
Today's report suggests that in addition to the high number of unrecorded animal movements, it is also not clear who is responsible for the various stages in the channel and what the actual role of every chain member is.
In addition, the findings suggest that these flaws could have lead to FMD spreading so quickly and may have also contributed to consumer concerns about product quality, safety and the 'traceability' of the source of the meat.
In a bid to prevent a repetition of recent FMD events in the future, the report has laid out several recommendations to policy makers. Suggestions include the introduction of livestock traceability mechanisms for the UK sheep flock, such as animal passports and tagging. Sheep movements must be reduced and minimised, perhaps by locating abattoirs and auctions closer to each other and the source of production. In addition, a thorough and strategic reassessment of the UK supply chain for fat lambs - young sheep fattened for slaughter - should take place.
For the report, lead researcher Michael Bourlakis from Newcastle University interviewed 23 members of the fat lamb supply chain in the north east of England, which is where the FMD outbreak started in February 2001.
Dr Bourlakis said: "Foot and mouth disease in the UK in 2001 exposed the complex nature of the structure and relationships in the fat lamb chain and has drawn attention to the poor logistics mechanisms and practices that prevail."
