The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the European Union were serious events for all European farmers. These outbreaks have added to an already extremely worrying health situation. They show just how vulnerable our farms are to health threats, despite our ongoing efforts in terms of prevention and surveillance. There are three major lessons to be learnt from this situation, and these must be borne in mind:

• The importance of banning all movement (stand still) of animals of susceptible species and their products for a period of at least 72 hours following the declaration of an outbreak of FMD, in an area that could cover the whole of the country, to allow initial investigations to be carried out. This provision of Article 55(e) of the Animal Health Law was complied with when the recent outbreaks occurred and has proved highly effective. Depending on the epidemiological situation, this 72-hour period may be extended and the size of the area concerned adapted. Of course, the economic consequences of such an approach may be considerable for the sector, but they will be less serious than the spread of the disease across the country.
• The need to anticipate the use of emergency suppressive vaccination, i.e. to start producing vaccines as soon as the first outbreak occurs, to have sufficient resources to act in the event of secondary outbreaks.
• Compliance with strict, reinforced biosecurity measures by all those involved in the sector. Because of its virulence and resistance, the FMD virus requires exceptional precautions, and therefore the utmost rigor.