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Much
of Scotland ’s countryside is free of foot and mouth disease
and is open for outdoor pursuits and tourism. However, given
the serious nature of the disease, care is still required.
This
Code outlines sensible precautions for those coming back to
enjoy the countryside. While large areas of Scotland are accessible
it is wise to check that your particular destination is open
before you travel.
THE
CODE
PLEASE follow this advice to avoid endangering farm animals
and people ’s livelihoods
- Do
not touch or feed farm animals.
- Do
not enter enclosed fields with farm animals.
- Avoid
farm steadings and yards.
- Do
not leave waste or scraps of food or litter.
- Do
not park your car in areas where farm animals gather.
- Keep
dogs on a lead at all times.
- Clean
your boots and vehicles between visits to the countryside.
- Obey
official signs.
- Respect
advisory signs and requests from farmers and other land
managers.
The Code
is based on expert advice from the State Veterinary Service
and on guidance previously issued by the Scottish Executive
Rural Affairs Department, which is responsible for action
to contain and eradicate foot and mouth disease.
FOOT
AND MOUTH –THE FACTS
Humans,dogs
and horses can ’t catch foot and mouth disease but they can
spread it to cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.
Foot
and mouth is a highly infectious disease but for the general
public, who don ’t work with livestock, the chances of spreading
it are generally low. Indirect transfer from person to person
contact, for example at sporting or social events, and then
onwards to livestock is possible but unlikely.
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The main
risk of people spreading the disease comes from direct contact
with an infected animal or its dung. People can pick up the
virus on their hands, clothes and footwear and transfer it
to another animal. This is why it is crucial to avoid all
physical contact with livestock and to avoid farm steadings,
yards and enclosed fields where there could be dung from infected
animals. This advice is especially important for dog owners.
Dogs must not be allowed off the lead as they may disperse
other animals and can be attracted by dung.
In areas
of Scotland which are free of foot and mouth disease, the
risk from walking on the open hill or paths not regularly
frequented by sheep and cattle is extremely low. It is still
important to ensure that livestock, wild deer and goats are
not disturbed.
The virus
can remain active for three days in summer and up to two weeks
in dried mud or dung on clothing, shoes or vehicles but it
can be killed by heat or disinfectants. If you have mud or
dung on your footwear, bicycle or car, you should clean them
as soon as possible. Washing your footwear with soap and hot
water will be sufficient.
The risks
of spreading foot and mouth are greatest in the areas where
the disease has already occurred. But we can ’t assume the
disease isn ’t present elsewhere. By following the guidance
in this code, we can all minimise the chances of spreading
foot and mouth and begin to allow life in the country to return
to normal.
Prepared
by Scottish Natural Heritage for Scottish Executive Rural
Affairs Department, in agreement with:
Activity
Scotland,British Horse Society, Convention of Scottish Local
Authorities, Deer Commission for Scotland, Forestry Commission,
Highland Hostels, Historic Scotland, John Muir Trust, Mountaineering
Council for Scotland, National Farmers Union of Scotland,
National Trust for Scotland, Ramblers ’ Association,Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds, Royal Zoological Society
of Scotland, Scottish Countryside Activities Council, Scottish
Landowners ’ Federation, Scottish Tourism Forum, Scottish
Wildlife Trust, Scottish Youth Hostels Association, sportscotland,
visitscotland.
Further
information on sites that are open to the public can be found
at: www.visitscotland.com
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