The outbreak of a highly infectious animal disease in a disease-free area is an ever-present risk. Recent epidemics in European livestock populations illustrate that the cost in terms of eradication, lost production and trade disruption may be high. In this paper, the implications for the meat and livestock industry, government policy and international trade rules are considered. The need for strict biosecurity and effective contingency plans is stressed. Options such as private insurance, animal tracing systems and emergency vaccination are discussed. Current measures for controlling animal disease epidemics raise various social and ethical issues that complicate the policy makers' task.
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