News

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	information and news about Hog's Back Paddock Services

News & Events

FOOT & MOUTH OUTBREAK 2007 - Announcement (12th September 2007)

Following our earlier decision to cease movement of our tractors during the F&M outbreak, we began operations again on Saturday 8th September. However, we have now decided to stop again until the new (Egham) case is explained or the outbreak resolved.

Again, apologies to all our customers for any inconvenience this may cause, but I'm sure you will understand and share our concerns.

Foot and Mouth Disease 2nd August 2007 - Announcement (9th September 2007)

We are please to be able to recommence operations as from yesterday, based on the final lifting of all restrictions as at midday 8th September. Thank you to our customers for their understanding.

Foot and Mouth Disease 2nd August 2007 - Announcement (4th August 2007)

We are very close to the identified primary site of Foot and Mouth in Normandy, Surrey.

We have therefore taken a decision to stop any movement of our equipment until the situation is clearer or we can be confident the disease has been contained.

Apologies to all our customers for any inconvenience this may cause, but I'm sure you will understand and share our concerns.

British Match Ploughing Championships - 14th & 15th October 2006

As well as the Surrey Country fair and Ploughing Match on Sept 24th, Loseley Park is also hosting this years National Ploughing Championships on 14th and 15th October. This is the highlight of the British match-ploughing championships. It includes modern and classic tractor classes for conventional and reversible ploughs as well as horse ploughing and the usual stalls n stuff. The last time this event was held in Surrey was 30 years ago, so fill your boots while you can, it could be some time before it's back in the area!

Surrey Country Fair and Ploughing Match - 24th September 2006

Surrey County Agricultural Society have their annual Surrey Coutry Fair and Ploughing Match at Loseley Park near Guildford on 24th September. This is a great family event - includes heavy horse, vintage and modern tractor ploughing plus all the other usual displays and stall. It's not a big one, but still plenty to see.

Newcastle Disease update - DEFRA 26th July 2005

The cull of pheasants at a farm in Surrey to stop the spread of Newcastle Disease has been completed. The affected area is now being cleaned and disinfected.

Defra has continued to urge poultry keepers all over the country to stay vigilant following the outbreak at the farm and to alert authorities if their birds show suspicious symptoms.

However, there have been no other confirmed outbreaks of the disease anywhere in the country.

Newcastle Disease Confirmed in Surrey - DEFRA 15th July 2005

An outbreak of Newcastle disease, a notifiable disease affecting poultry, has been confirmed in a number of pheasants intended for shooting in Surrey.

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that Newcastle Disease does not pose a significant threat to human health.

All the pheasants, which were being bred for shooting, are to be culled as part of a system of strict control measures aimed at swiftly containing any outbreak required under EU law.

The premises are not close to any significant poultry production units. The birds will be killed humanely.

Immediate action is being taken to track the movements of other pheasant consignments which may have come from same original source to eliminate any risk of the disease spreading.

Although Newcastle Disease is infectious to other birds, the potential threat to a major part of the UK egg and poultry industry is minimal as large-scale producers routinely vaccinate their birds against the disease and any vulnerable birds could be vaccinated within a week.

We have suspended issue of export health certificates to non-EU countries where they require freedom from Newcastle Disease.

However, Defra vets are working closely with colleagues in the poultry industry, the NFU, game shooting bodies and others, to ensure any threat to smaller scale keepers and others who may not routinely vaccinate is minimised.

State Veterinary Service are tracing all known contacts connected with the original consignment from France and checking for any clinical symptoms of the disease. No other suspect cases have been identified so far. Restrictions have been imposed upon the farm where the disease has been confirmed which includes movement restrictions and biosecurity measures. In addition, a Declaratory Order has been made declaring an infected area and establishing a surveillance zone of 10 km around the infected premises to impose restriction to prevent the spread of disease.

Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds, said:

'All keepers of birds should ensure they maintain high standards of bio security, consider whether they wish to vaccinate, consult their vet advisors and report any suspicion of disease to the State Veterinary Service'

Surrey County Show 31st May 2004 & 30th May 2005

We were volunteer stewards running the milking parlour at the Surrey County Show in 2004 & 2005. This involved a small amount of maintenance and cleaning, keeping the public at "arms-length" (stopping them get their shoes dirty!) and fielding questions mainly, but not solely, from our younger visitors.

The parlour is for the use of the dairy competitors at the show, but also helps with public awareness and education. For many children it is their first insight into where their food comes from, something as familiar as milk, and it's an eye-opener for some!

Some of the most amusing questions on the day were:

Why are some black and white and some brown?

Where does the milk come from?

Where does the milk go?

Is it the same as we drink?

Are they boys or girls? (yes, really)