UK – Dioxin levels in milk from farms located within 2km of pyres may be slightly higher than normal as a result of the foot and mouth disease, warns the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). The warning followed tests by the FSA into the impact of burning animals on the level of airborne dioxins.

The organisation claims that it is highly unlikely that there will be an increased health risk to the vast majority of people as dioxins only accumulate in fat, leaving skimmed and semi-skimmed milk unaffected. However, the FSA advised that the small proportion of people consuming whole milk and whole milk products from animals grazing near pyres, may wish to change their diet.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) stressed that the advice was only precautionary until milk results come through. It is likely to take until the end of June to form a clear picture of the situation. Meanwhile, The Dairy Council maintains that milk is safe to drink. Jill Eisberg, head of communications, explains: “There are no implications for the general consumer and The Dairy Council can assure the public that the quality of milk they buy from retailers or milkmen will remain the same.”

The UK government has estimated that during the first six weeks of the outbreak pyres released 63g of dioxins in to the atmosphere. By comparison, forest fires in Canada release 60kg of dioxins every year.

Six new cases of foot and mouth disease have been reported in Lancashire and nine in North Yorkshire since Friday. This takes the total to 22 and 51 respectively and the overall number in the UK to 1,660.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lifted import restrictions placed on European countries where no cases of the foot and mouth disease have been confirmed. Those included are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Constraints still apply to the UK, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Greece.