1: As far as the 2001 FMD epidemic goes its origins were traced to a pig farm in the North-East of England {Burnside Farm, Heddon on the Wall, Northumberland}. From there it was wind spread to neighbouring sheep farms {sheep are the hardest animals to diagnose}. UK was compliant with ALL EU rules, codes and practices. In accordance with those the infected, but undiagnosed pigs from Burnside farm had to be transported to an abattoir in Essex where they infected pens and it was only when 20 "finished" pigs caught the disease at this abattoir was the outbreak discovered. By this stage over 57 sites had been infected. The EU contingency set up to deal with outbreaks is based upon the disease being detected before 10 sites are infected. Investigation showed that the only cause for the outbreak was contaminated swill.

2: Routine vaccination of livestock to prevent or slow foot and mouth disease is not legal in the European Union. European Union law permits the use of emergency vaccination only as part of a stamping out policy where appropriate.