This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7424887.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labs escape outbreak prosecution Labs escape outbreak prosecution
(about 3 hours later)
The animal health laboratories at the centre of last summer's foot and mouth disease outbreak will not be prosecuted, Surrey County Council says. The animal health laboratories at the centre of last summer's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will not be prosecuted, Surrey County Council says.
Eight farms were infected with the disease and farmers lost millions due to livestock movement restrictions.Eight farms were infected with the disease and farmers lost millions due to livestock movement restrictions.
Investigators concluded the virus had probably escaped from a drain at the government's Pirbright labs in Surrey.Investigators concluded the virus had probably escaped from a drain at the government's Pirbright labs in Surrey.
But the council says it is impossible to tell which of the bodies using the site was responsible for the leak.But the council says it is impossible to tell which of the bodies using the site was responsible for the leak.
A series of probes found the source was probably a damaged drain shared by the Institute of Animal Health and drug company Merial.A series of probes found the source was probably a damaged drain shared by the Institute of Animal Health and drug company Merial.
Lack of evidenceLack of evidence
But there is no clear evidence of exactly how the leak happened or which organisation was the exact source.But there is no clear evidence of exactly how the leak happened or which organisation was the exact source.
Surrey County Council is calling for tougher regulations to make every shared site have one organisation to take overall responsibility for such matters.Surrey County Council is calling for tougher regulations to make every shared site have one organisation to take overall responsibility for such matters.
It also wants fines for those breaching the rules to be increased from the current maximum of £5,000 and for the directors of research facilities to be held individually accountable for disease leaks.It also wants fines for those breaching the rules to be increased from the current maximum of £5,000 and for the directors of research facilities to be held individually accountable for disease leaks.
The National Union of Farmers said the decision not to prosecute was "understandable" but that Merial and the IAH must not be allowed to "hide" behind unclear divisions of responsibility.The National Union of Farmers said the decision not to prosecute was "understandable" but that Merial and the IAH must not be allowed to "hide" behind unclear divisions of responsibility.
'Shabby and dilapidated''Shabby and dilapidated'
A spokesman said: "The foot and mouth outbreak had a massive effect on the local and national economy. The NFU is considering the potential civil liability of the two laboratories."A spokesman said: "The foot and mouth outbreak had a massive effect on the local and national economy. The NFU is considering the potential civil liability of the two laboratories."
The most recent inquiry into last year's outbreak, by Iain Anderson who led the review into the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, called for greater clarity of responsibility and ownership at Pirbright.The most recent inquiry into last year's outbreak, by Iain Anderson who led the review into the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, called for greater clarity of responsibility and ownership at Pirbright.
He criticised the "creeping degradation of standards" at the site, which he labelled "shabby and dilapidated".He criticised the "creeping degradation of standards" at the site, which he labelled "shabby and dilapidated".
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government had accepted and was implementing the recommendations of a review into the regulatory framework for handling animal diseases.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government had accepted and was implementing the recommendations of a review into the regulatory framework for handling animal diseases.
It said inspections continued to take place at Pirbright to make sure the IAH and Merial had put in place the measures needed to prevent another outbreak.It said inspections continued to take place at Pirbright to make sure the IAH and Merial had put in place the measures needed to prevent another outbreak.