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Foot
& Mouth: England
Update: 4th April 2001
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
Tourism Hotline
0870 241 5659 Open seven days a week, 10am to 8pm
A Hotline has
been set up to tell the public which tourist attractions are unaffected
by foot-and-mouth.
Environment
Minister Michael Meacher said 'It is perfectly possible for people
to return to most of the countryside and do the things they want
to do without, in any way, risking the spread of this disease as
long as they follow very simple rules.'
English Tourism
Council chief executive Mary Lynch said: ' With the help of the
hotline, visitors will be able to find out as much as they can about
the situation at the local level and where they can still enjoy
the great English country side.'
The Government
is issuing the following advice to the general public.
The key
message for the general public is to avoid all contact with susceptible
livestock and not to go on to farm premises or cross land where
livestock are or may be kept.
Where you
can go now
Anywhere in
the countryside, as long as you follow this advice, you can visit:
- towns, villages
and seaside resorts pubs, restaurants and cafes shops and markets
- churches,
museums, art galleries and historic buildings outdoor attractions
with no susceptible animals
- sporting,
recreational or other special events.
- Many parks,
outdoor attractions with animals, beaches and some zoos may also
be open.
What you
can do now
Anywhere in
the countryside, as long as you follow this advice, you can:
- stay in hotels,
guesthouses or other permanent accommodation
- drive, walk,
run, ride horses, cycle on or beside tarmacked roads
- travel by
all forms of public transport
- hold meetings
or conferences (livestock farmers choosing to attend should follow
MAFF guidance)
- participate
in sporting, recreational or other special events away from farmland
- deliver newspapers
and other supplies by road (other than where there are special
arrangements for farms under restriction).
- In some places
you can: stay in caravans or tents walk, ride, cycle or drive
on rights of way or in open countryside go sailing, fishing, rowing
or canoeing
What you
should not do
- Do not go
near cattle, sheep, pigs or deer, wherever you are, and never
feed farm animals. If you find yourself near these animals, walk
away from them.
- Do not go
on farmland which has been or is being used by livestock
- Do not leave
any waste food in open countryside or on farmland.
- Do not use
footpaths that are closed. Particularly in areas close to infected
farms, local authorities may have closed footpaths. You must obey
these closures.
Do not let your
dog off its lead as it may cause animal movements.
Where you will be able to go and what you will be able to do
soon
Many organisations
are considering lifting their current restrictions in the light
of the Chief Veterinary Officer's guidance. In particular:
- the National
Trust will be opening or re-opening selected properties; English
Heritage will be opening or re-opening more properties (many are
still open);
- the Forestry
Commission is looking at opening some woodlands;
- British Waterways
will be re-opening some canals from 26 March and is discussing
re-opening some towpaths with local authorities;
- local authorities
and National Park Authorities will be reviewing whether more rights
of way and areas of open countryside can safely be re-opened as
the spread of the disease becomes clearer.
Key websites
are:
This guidance
applies in England only. The administrations in Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales have been involved in its development and have
issued or will be issuing their own guidance based on their particular
circumstances.
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