BB FANS

Cattle in southern England have been found to be infected with Foot and Mouth Disease.

A spokesman for Defra said animals on a farm near Guildford in Surrey had tested positive for the disease.

He said: "Following an investigation of suspected vesicular disease by Animal Health on a holding near Guildford in Surrey, laboratory results have this evening indicated that the Foot and Mouth Disease virus is present in samples from cattle on the premises."

"On the basis of initial laboratory results, Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease. In accordance with the legislation, all the cattle on the premises will be culled."

A protection zone, three kilometres in radius, and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres has been placed around the premises.

A meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency contingencies committee has been held to discuss the outbreak, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown taking part by telephone from his holiday in Dorset.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said that Mr Brown will return from his holiday on Saturday in order to chair another Cobra meeting at the Cabinet Office.

A national movement ban of all ruminants and pigs has been imposed, Defra said.

Last time there was a foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, it swept the nation meaning that millions of pigs, cattle and sheep had to be slaughtered and their carcasses burnt, costing taxpayers billions in compensation.

From: ITN

Other farms tested for disease



Officials are investigating other possible outbreaks of foot and mouth after a farm in Surrey was found to have infected cattle, said the chief veterinary officer.

Dr Debby Reynolds said a small number or potential cases had been reported in the wake of the discovery on the farm near Guildford, Surrey, some of which had already been found to be negative.

Dr Reynolds told a press conference in London that officials were undertaking an urgent investigation into the possible origins of the disease and where it might have spread.

Britain has imposed a voluntary ban on exports of all animals and animal products as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "We have voluntarily put a ban in place on all exports out of the UK to any other country. That includes live animals, carcases, meat and milk with immediate effect."

The ban follows the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease on a farm in Normandy, in Surrey

Defra, who also announced a nationwide ban on the movement of all sheep, cattle and pigs, has imposed a three kilometre "protection zone" and a 10 kilometre "surveillance zone" around the farm. All the cattle on the infected farm were being killed.

First results from the scientific analysis of the virus could be available as early as late Saturday, although it may take longer depending on the exact strain of the virus involved.

Once the strain has been identified, experts will check to see whether relevant vaccines are available in the British or European vaccine banks.

The outbreak raised the spectre of the foot-and-mouth epidemic of 2001, which brought chaos to Britain and left farming and tourist industries devastated. It led to the slaughter of nearly 10 million animals, ruined many rural businesses and is estimated to have cost the country up to £8.5 billion.
Metro

Hopefully this time it'll be just an isolated outbreak with the source being the lab up the road, 2001 was a an absolute nightmare for all farmers.