FOOT-and-mouth restrictions in small protection zones around Normandy and Elstead were lifted last week. Surrey County Council reopened the paths and land in these areas in time for the recent Bank Holiday weekend. However, the Surveillance Zone remains in place in Surrey, but should be lifted by mid September providing the situation remains unchanged. The Surveillance Zone currently stretches from the M3 in the north to Hindhead and part of Haslemere in the south, and from the Blackwater Valley in the west to Guildford and Woking in the east. Since the identification of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Surrey on Friday, August 3, extensive work has been going on to contain the outbreak. As the last confirmed case of the disease was on Monday, August 6, all rights of way, and land closed due to foot-and-mouth, have now been reopened. County Trading Standards Officer Peter Denard, said: "I am confident that we have the outbreak under control and contained to Surrey. "The lifting of the restrictions within the Protection Zones is another positive step towards getting the farming community back to 'business as usual' as soon as possible." Surrey's countryside is now open again to be enjoyed by ramblers, dog walkers and horse riders. The only exceptions are the footpaths that cross the land and premises where the infections were found. Clear prohibition signs remain on this handful of paths, however, all other paths are open. While the Protection Zone signs, prohibiting access, have now been removed, advisory notices have been erected in their place where the land or path is near livestock. Surrey Trading Standards is reminding all visitors to the countryside to abide by any advisory notices in place, and in particular to use disinfectant buckets and brushes, where provided. The only restriction remaining is that dogs must be kept under control at all times in the countryside and kept on a short lead in the vicinity of livestock. Farmers in the 'merged' Surveillance Zone should continue with biosecurity measures and be vigilant for signs of disease. Farmers must still not move their stock to and from their premises, including into or out of the zone, unless licensed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). An advisory notice, providing precautionary measures to the public, has been produced for display by both farmers and landowners. Copies of the advisory notice are available from Surrey Trading Standards on 01372 371692. Surrey farmers, hauliers and traders seeking advice on the current restrictions can contact Surrey Trading Standards hotline on 01372 371692, which is open 8am to 4pm on weekdays. Any reports of infringements of the animal movement controls in place should be reported immediately to Surrey Trading Standards on 01372 371692. For further up-to-date information visit the Defra website or contact them on their helpline on 08459 33 55 77. The Defra website provides further information about foot-and mouth-disease, together with the answers to frequently asked questions.
