All vehicles which have been on the premises must be cleansed and disinfected. The disinfectant used must be approved by DARD for foot and mouth disease control. When using disinfectant, appropriate health and safety precautions must be taken. The manufacturer's safety data sheet should be consulted. The whole vehicle must be thoroughly cleaned and free from mud, dung and any other dirt.
Disinfectants are only effective in clean conditions.
Not only does dirt act as a barrier between the disinfectant and the surface to be disinfected. It also interacts chemically with the disinfectant to render it less effective. Particular attention should be paid to the hidden underside of the vehicle, including the wheel arches where dirt tends to cling and cake, and to the tyre tread. The dirt should first be soaked with disinfectant. This should be done using a low-pressure applicator such as a knapsack sprayer.