STATE VETERINARY SERVICE
Southgate St
BURY ST EDMUNDS, Suffolk, IP33 2BD
Tel: (01284) 778150
Fax: (01284) 705684
E-Mail Address: A.H.Bury-St-Edmunds@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
Mrs P I Gardiner
Your Reference: 01284 778288
Our Reference: 28/118/0057
Address removed
Date: 24 June 2004
Dear Sir
2004 NATIONAL SURVEY FOR BRUCELLOSIS AND CONTAGIOUS AGALACTIA IN SHEEP AND GOATS
I am writing to you to ask for your co-operation in participating in the above survey as your sheep flock has been selected for testing this year. You will shortly receive a telephone call from this office to arrange an appointment for blood samples to be taken from your sheep/goats as part of an annual random survey to check for the presence of contagious agalactia and brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis. A maximum of 20 animals per flock will be required.
The United Kingdom currently has official disease-free status from Brucella melitensis. Not only is this of benefit to our export trade, but it also allows us to enforce more stringent import requirements to protect the national flock. Additionally, we apply similar import requirements in respect of contagious agalactia, from which we are also free.
Holdings for this survey are selected on a random basis from all the flocks and herds registered as required by the Sheep and Goats Identification and Movement (Interim Measures) (England) (No. 2) Order 2002 (as amended) and equivalent legislation covering Scotland and Wales. To ensure the validity of the survey it is essential that sheep or goats on all the holdings selected are tested. Your participation in the survey would therefore be greatly appreciated. If you no longer keep any sheep or goats, or if you are unwilling to participate in the survey for any reason please contact this office immediately.
Yours faithfully
Signed
pp A N Christie
Divisional Veterinary Manager