The arrival of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Bermuda would lead to the extermination of all cattle, sheep and goats, the Department of Agriculture and Fish said yesterday.

"The local dairy industry would die, literally, overnight,'' said a press release announcing new measures being taken to protect the Island from this highly contagious disease which devastates cloven animal populations.

UBP MP and CEO of Dunkley's Dairy, Michael Dunkley, raised the issue of FMD threat in Parliament on Wednesday asking what Government was doing to protect the Island.

And he told The Royal Gazette that owners of livestock in Bermuda are greatly concerned that the disease may still make it to the Island. "We're particularly concerned because the disease is easily transmissible by humans,'' said Mr. Dunkley. "If the country doesn't get up to speed it could completely obliterate stocks of many types of animals.'' "The Bermuda Department of Agriculture & Fisheries takes the threat of this outbreak very seriously,'' it said yesterday as new measures to protect the Island were announced.

Last Thursday a ban was placed on importing UK pork and lamb because if humans -- who are not susceptible to FMD -- eat infected meat, it can be passed on to local animals which consume swill.

No meats from the initial affected area were exported to Bermuda, according to the Agriculture and Fisheries. "Since then, the UK authorities have halted all exports of susceptible animals and their products. Hence, there was no need to withdraw products from local store shelves,'' said the release.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has now also suspended issuing import permits for dogs and cats coming from the UK. That decision is expected to remain in place for at least 30 days but, that time frame will depend upon the UK's success in halting the disease.

And travellers arriving from the UK will now be questioned about their presence on farms while there and any soiled footwear will be seized for disinfection.

"The Foot-and-Mouth virus could still make its way here via travelling people,'' said the department's release. "We are asking the cooperation of anyone travelling to the UK, in that they refrain from visiting affected areas, or, if in an affected area, leave footwear in the UK. Please do not smuggle beef or pork products.'' Last week Government veterinarian Jonathan Nisbett said that the disease affects all cloven animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats and can be carried by many others including domestic pets and animals.

Dr. Nisbett said it has always been a requirement that domestic animals coming into Bermuda have a certificate indicating that they come from an FMD-free area.

The US has been FMD-free since 1929 and Dr. Nisbett said to his knowledge no case of FMD had even been seen in Bermuda.

To date there have been 24 confirmed cases in the UK, according to the Agriculture and Fisheries release, and tens of thousands of animals have been destroyed.

FMD was first detected at an abbattoir in Essex but has now been found in widespread areas of the country. And there are fears that it may already have spread to Europe and Ireland. The Netherlands have slaughtered 4,300 animals with UK links and France is to destroy 20,000 sheep. Many other European countries are also considering mass slaughters.

Bermuda's ban on importing domestic animals may be extended to those travelling from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland as well "if the disease appears widespread across these countries,'' the Agriculture and Fisheries release stated.

FMD can be spread by direct contact between infected and susceptible animals, by contact with excretions, secretions or exhaled air of infected animals, via meats, milk and semen, vie contaminated vehicles or people and the virus will survive in faeces, urine and soil, the release explained.