草榴社区

2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak - 25 years on: "Infectious diseases do not respect borders or species barriers, and we ignore this at our peril"

Before his career in politics, Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson was a veterinary inspector who was on the frontline of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001. Dr Hudson remembers the once bustling farms which became empty, the impact it had on the sector's mental health, and why the current Government should never take the UK's national biosecurity for granted

clock 鈥� 3 min read
Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson said: "We need to make sure the burning pyres of slaughtered animals as well as the economic and mental health devastation of foot-and-mouth remain resolutely confined to the history books. Compromised biosecurity affects everything from animal health, public health, to the price of food, trade, to our position on the world stage and our precious environment."
Image:

Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson said: "We need to make sure the burning pyres of slaughtered animals as well as the economic and mental health devastation of foot-and-mouth remain resolutely confined to the history books. Compromised biosecurity affects everything from animal health, public health, to the price of food, trade, to our position on the world stage and our precious environment."

My journey as a vet into politics began after I spent a period as a veterinary inspector during the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak supervising some of the tragic animal culls. I saw sights then that...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to 草榴社区 Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Join Now

听

More on Farm Life

'For Farms' Sake' 鈥� Clarkson and Hogan rebrand Diddly Squat Farm Shop
Farm Life

'For Farms' Sake' 鈥� Clarkson and Hogan rebrand Diddly Squat Farm Shop

The shop re-opened its doors to unveil its bold new identity built around one belief - British farming deserves to be celebrated and is something to be proud of

Mia Willemsen
clock 28 March 2026 鈥� 2 min read
OPINION: "The nation really does love its farmers"
Farm Life

OPINION: "The nation really does love its farmers"

There are difficult days when it feels like the entire world is on the shoulders of the people who grow our food, but one magical moment on Britain's Got Talent shows people really care about British farmers

Chris Brayford
Chris Brayford
clock 27 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
Family pays tribute to teenager killed on farm
Farm Life

Family pays tribute to teenager killed on farm

19-year-old, Devon-based contractor died in burst-pipe incident

Nick Irving
clock 25 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read