DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :
60/08) issued by The Government News Network on 26 February 2008
Animal Health has
today launched a free news alert service to help people on the
move keep in touch with the latest developments on notifiable
animal disease.
The service is targeted mainly at the farming community, although
it is available to everyone. By registering, subscribers will
receive alerts on up to five notifiable animal diseases - foot and
mouth disease, bluetongue, avian influenza, Newcastle disease and
classical swine fever. Subscribers can choose to receive alerts
via a voicemail on a landline telephone or mobile telephone, via
text, fax or email.
The new subscription service complements Animal Health's
other channels for keeping the farming community and stakeholders
informed about the latest developments on notifiable animal
diseases - the Animal Health website, the Animal Health Recorded
Information Line and Animal Health's instant messaging system
which allows the organisation to send messages to livestock
keepers, local veterinary practices and local stakeholders where
contact details are held.
There will be no charge to receive the messages on the notifable
diseases noted above. Subscribers who register online will be able
to register for free, however, subscribers who register via
telephone will incur a one-off charge on their landline or at
their mobile network provider's standard rate.
Glenys Stacey, Animal Health Chief Executive said:
"A disease outbreak is a difficult time and it is vitally
important that livestock keepers can access accurate information
as quickly as possible.
"We have made great improvements over the past few months in
communicating with our stakeholders, sending messages by
voicemail, fax or email to many on our database. Because many
farmers don't have access to, or time to look on the website
for up to date information, we also introduced a recorded
information line where people can call from a telephone and listen
to the latest news instantly.
"Although we have been able to improve our communications
significantly we know we are not targeting everyone that we need
to. The new subscription service means our customers can choose
the way they receive information and can choose which disease or
diseases they want to be updated about."
To sign up online to the Animal Health Subscription Service visit
the Animal Health website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth .
To sign up by telephone dial 0844 884 9888 and follow the press
button instructions.
Local stakeholders receiving messages already have been
specifically targeted. They may or may not receive messages in the
future, dependent on the type and location of any future disease.
Therefore if they choose to register for the subscription service,
they may receive the same messages through different mediums.
Notes to editors
Information and advice on animal diseases is available via the
Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
Livestock keepers can also call the Animal Health Recorded
Information Line for the latest updates on 0844 884 4600.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
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