The member bodies of the BEF are working together to monitor the foot and mouth situation and to assist their members and the public at large to understand the implications. Should you have further information which you consider would be of assistance please contact Anna Greenway at anna.greenway@bef.co.uk
This section now also contains up to date information on Bluetongue disease.
Up to date information regarding the Foot & Mouth (FMD) situation and the Bluetongue disease situation can be found on Defra's website .
Defra's specific advice for horses can be found here.
Latest Updates
On the 28th September Defra confirmed that Bluetongue disease is circulating in East Anglia. A 150 km Bluetongue Protection Zone has been created around the outbreak, including a 20km Control Zone. In addition, a 150km Bluetongue Protection Zone covering parts of the counties from Lincolnshire to Sussex will be put in place.
Ruminant animals (such as cattle, sheep, goats and camelids) will be able to move within the Bluetongue Protection Zone but not out of it; and their semen, ova and embryos may only be moved from the restricted area to free areas of the country and to other EU Member States under stringent conditions laid down in EU rules. Pigs, horses, and other non ruminants and their semen, ova and embryos, as well as meat and other animal products are not affected and can move freely (provided that they abide by the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) movement restrictions).
An map of Great Britain with Foot and Mouth Risk Areas and Bluetongue Temporary Area can be found here.
On 12 September Foot and Mouth Disease was confirmed at a farm in Surrey. A Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone has been placed around the farm in Surrey. A Temporary Control Zone was also placed around one premises in Norfolk but this has since been lifted as test results were negative. You can check if you are in either of these zones by following this link -
http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/FMD/map.jsp
The BEF website will be continually updated with information specifically relevant to the movement of equines. The below advice regarding these zones and the movement of horses is the same as following the initial cases.
Summary of Information relating to horses
Defra stress that horses are not susceptible to the FMD virus - these measures are precautionary only
Within the UK:
The zones:
Defra have designated two sorts of zone - Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone. The situation may differ depending on whether you are located in a Protection Zone, a Surveillance Zone or elsewhere in the UK. The number of such zones may increase as time goes by - there is for instance now more than one Protection Zone. If you are unsure whether you are in a zone, please see Defra's website to check whether you are in a zone.
Inside a Protection Zone:
Horses can only be moved in or out of a Protection Zone under licence;
Horses cannot be moved from premises to premises within a Protection Zone when there are susceptible animals on the same premises, except under licence; and
Vehicles designed for the transport of animals, including horse boxes, where susceptible animals are kept, cannot be moved from premises within a Protection Zone except under licence.
Defra have now closed footpaths and bridleways within the first Protection Zone.
Inside a Surveillance Zone
There are currently no restrictions on the movements of horses or vehicles used for transporting horses but there is an enhanced level of surveillance.
Rest of UK
There are currently no restrictions on the movements of horses or vehicles used for transporting horses. Horses are not affected by the national movement ban
Movement of horses into and out of Great Britian
We are awaiting specific information to assist in these cases.
Further advice from the British Horse Society (BHS):
It is particularly important that all horse owners and riders are vigilant and do everything they can to help prevent the spread of the disease and observe the highest of bio security measures on and off their own yards.
Further advice on suggested biosecurity measures for horse owners is available on the BHS website by following this link.
Q. Where do I get a licence from?
A. From your local animal health division - contact details for these can be found via the following link http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/animal-health-offices.htm
Q. I live inside a Protection Zone - can I take my horse to a competition?
A. Horses within a Protection Zone cannot be moved out of the zone except under licence. Within the zone they cannot be moved from premises to premises where there are susceptible animals on the same premises.
Q. I live inside a Protection Zone - can I take my horse to the vet?
A. See answer to above question - if you need to take your horse to the vet you should contact your vet first to see if you can take it there without needing to get a licence.
Q. I live outside the Protection Zones - what are the restrictions on me and my horse?
A. Currently there are none except that you cannot take your horse into the Protection Zones without a licence.
Q. Can I Transport my horse through the Protection Zones, ie along the A3 or A31?
A. No, not unless you obtain a licence.
Q. Can my horse get FMD?
A. No.
Q. Can I still use public rights of way?
A. Yes, however footpaths and bridleways within the first Protection Zone have been closed. Also a number of footpaths directly around other holdings have also been closed to ensure that operations at the sites can continue. Defra are keeping the situation under review.
We urge all horse riders within the Protection Zones to keep their horses on their own premises for the time being to assist in the prevention of the spread of the disease.
It is important that horse riders outside of the Protection Zones do not inadvertently ride into the Protection Zones when out hacking.
We urge all horse riders within the Supervision Zone who keep their horses:
- on premises where there are susceptible animals to keep their horses on those premises,
- on premises where there are no susceptible animals:
- not to take their horses to premises where there are susceptible animals, and
- not to ride on public rights of way or open spaces within the Supervision Zone where there are susceptible animals.
Q. What animals are susceptible to foot and mouth disease?
A. Among farm stock, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats are susceptible as are llamas and alpacas. Some wild animals such as hedgehogs, coypu and any wild cloven footed animals such as deer and zoo animals including elephants can also contract it.
Q. Where can I obtain foot and mouth disinfectant?
A. Details of where to obtain foot and mouth disinfectant can be found on the Defra website via the following link http://disinfectants.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Location=None&module=ApprovalsList_SI
You may also be able to obtain this from your local agricultural/feed merchant.
You can view the British Horse Society website here.
Page last updated 1st October 2007 10.25.
