Foot and Mouth Disease 2007: A Review and Lessons Learned
Dr Iain Anderson to lead an independent review into the lessons learned
from the response to the 2007 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and led
the lessons learned inquiry into the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak
and has brought his considerable knowledge and expertise to the examination
of whether the lessons learned from 2001 were implemented as well as to
identifying what new lessons might be drawn from the handling of the 2007
outbreak.
The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has now officially declared that
the UK has regained freedom from FMD without vaccination following a three
month disease-free period.
Dr Anderson's review commends the Government's overall handling of
the outbreak. He states that “many of the lessons identified in the 2002
report had been acted upon and performance, taken as a whole, was much
improved”. “In analysing how the 2007 outbreak was handled, with its
innumerable, interwoven decisions and actions, we found much to applaud,
along with some deficiencies. On balance, the positive easily outweighs the
negative”.
As well as finding much progress compared to 2001, Dr Anderson's review
also points to things that didn't go right and where further action is
recommended.
Dr Anderson makes a number of recommendations in his report and Government
will consider them all carefully. In consultation with our partner delivery
bodies and external stakeholders, we will decide what now needs to be done
to make sure we are.
