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Outbreak source 'linked to labs' Outbreak source 'linked to lab'
(39 minutes later)
There is a "strong probability" the foot-and-mouth outbreak began at a research site, inspectors have said.There is a "strong probability" the foot-and-mouth outbreak began at a research site, inspectors have said.
Either the private company Merial, or the state-run Institute for Animal Health, both based at the Pirbright site, could be the source, they said. But either the private company Merial, or the state-run Institute for Animal Health, both based at the Pirbright site, could be the source, they said.
The Health and Safety Executive found there was a "negligible" risk it had been spread by the wind or flooding.The Health and Safety Executive found there was a "negligible" risk it had been spread by the wind or flooding.
But its report said the disease could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".But its report said the disease could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".
The National Farmers' Union has said there is "incredulity and shock" that a research facility that works to protect against disease could have been the source of the outbreak.The National Farmers' Union has said there is "incredulity and shock" that a research facility that works to protect against disease could have been the source of the outbreak.
HOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal to animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people, vehicles or roads, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxedHOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal to animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people, vehicles or roads, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxed
The first cases were found at Woolford Farm near Guildford in Surrey on Friday, and a second outbreak was confirmed at a second farm on Monday. Both farms are within miles of the Pirbright site.The first cases were found at Woolford Farm near Guildford in Surrey on Friday, and a second outbreak was confirmed at a second farm on Monday. Both farms are within miles of the Pirbright site.
The Health and Safety Executive's interim report confirmed the strain found in the first outbreak was the same as that being worked on at the nearby Pirbright site and there was a "strong probability" it originated there. The HSE's interim report confirmed the strain found in the first outbreak was the same as that being worked on at the nearby Pirbright site and there was a "strong probability" it originated there.
But it did not specify which of the two facilities on the site was to blame.But it did not specify which of the two facilities on the site was to blame.
Vaccine manufacturer Merial had been involved in "large scale production" of the strain - about 10,000 litres - while the Institute for Animal Health had been carrying out "small scale" experiments, it said. Vaccine manufacturer Merial had been involved in "large scale production" of the strain - about 10,000 litres - while the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) had been carrying out "small scale" experiments, it said.
Airborne risk 'negligible'
In a statement, Merial Animal Health said: "Merial is assessing the information contained. We will communicate further as soon as possible."In a statement, Merial Animal Health said: "Merial is assessing the information contained. We will communicate further as soon as possible."
The HSE report said there was no evidence that working practices, or any spills or leaks from equipment were to blame and the risk of water or airborne transmission was considered "negligible". Head of the IAH, Professor Martin Shirley, said it would continue to review its biosecurity measures, but he was pleased it was being allowed to continue to operate.
He added: "Staff are working as hard as possible to provide evidence for these inquiries."
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The HSE report said there was no evidence that working practices, or any spills or leaks from equipment were to blame and the risk of water or airborne transmission was considered "negligible".
But there were "various potential routes for accidental or deliberate transfer of material from the site" and various lines of inquiry were being pursued.But there were "various potential routes for accidental or deliberate transfer of material from the site" and various lines of inquiry were being pursued.
"Release by human movement must also be considered a real possibility," the report said."Release by human movement must also be considered a real possibility," the report said.
"Further investigation of the above issues is required and is being urgently pursued." Compensation increase
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "hopeful" a second report would be published on Wednesday.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "hopeful" a second report would be published on Wednesday.
"We will continue these investigations so we get an isolation of the disease itself, and an isolation of the cause of the disease," he said."We will continue these investigations so we get an isolation of the disease itself, and an isolation of the cause of the disease," he said.
Microbiology expert Professor Hugh Pennington said: "My impression is that they haven't found any technical fault and flooding is a potential, but only negligible. What you are left with is human movement." He said compensation for farmers was being increased, the Inland Revenue was offering assistance and a helpline remained open.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS 97 cattle were culled from the first outbreak - 64 from infected premises, 33 from neighbouring premises. 102 were culled in the second outbreak111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments Ban 'could be lifted' FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS 97 cattle were culled from the first outbreak - 64 from infected premises, 33 from neighbouring premises. 102 were culled in the second outbreak111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments Ban 'could be lifted'
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth, told BBC news the report was short and inconclusive. Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth, told BBC news the report "pointed the finger" at the Pirbright site.
He added: "What it does is, unsurprisingly, point the finger directly at the Pirbright site. "So either a government laboratory, or a private company licensed by the government, appears to have been responsible for this outbreak of foot and mouth and that is truly shocking," he said.
"So either a government laboratory, or a private company licensed by the government, appears to have been responsible for this outbreak of foot and mouth and that is truly shocking." NFU President Peter Kendall said the report was an "important step" in understanding how the virus might have spread.
But he added: "I have spoken to many farmers over the last few days who are absolutely horrified that the source of this outbreak could be from Pirbright.
"And the suggestion in the findings that the disease could have been transferred, either accidentally or deliberately, by humans will only add to these concerns".
Cattle culled
About 200 cattle have been culled on the two farms since Friday and the government has banned the movement of all livestock across Britain - although some restrictions have now been relaxed in Scotland.About 200 cattle have been culled on the two farms since Friday and the government has banned the movement of all livestock across Britain - although some restrictions have now been relaxed in Scotland.
The European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.The European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.
Merial had been involved in "large scale production" of the strain
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said further investigation would be carried out into drainage on the Pirbright site and release by human movement would be investigated further "as a matter of urgency".
He added: "Following the confirmation of the second case within the larger main protection zone and the ongoing investigations, the chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds, has recommended to me that footpaths be now closed in this zone.
"I have agreed that this should happen with immediate effect."
The move follows criticism from some farmers, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats that some footpaths in the zone had remained open.
The NFU has estimated the outbreak could cost "tens of millions of pounds", affecting not just farmers but related industries such as abattoirs.The NFU has estimated the outbreak could cost "tens of millions of pounds", affecting not just farmers but related industries such as abattoirs.
Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.