THE MATS impregnated with disinfectant that were rolled out by the IW Council at ferry ports last month as a foot and mouth precaution have been taken up.
The mats were laid down as a precautionary step after the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs declared Hampshire a risk area. There have been no cases of foot and mouth either in Hampshire or on the Island which remained a low risk area throughout the recent period of concern.
Following DERFA’s decision to relax controls however, the IW Council has evaluated risk to Island livestock and concluded that it is correct to remove the matting.
Stuart Love, IW Council Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods said: “The matting itself was a constant reminder of the need to be vigilant — the step in itself provides only a limited level of protection against the disease.”
Mr Love thanked ferry companies for their co-operation in the exercise.
