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Animal movement ban to be relaxed Animal movement ban to be relaxed
(20 minutes later)
A ban on livestock movement brought in following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey is to be eased from midnight, the government has announced.A ban on livestock movement brought in following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey is to be eased from midnight, the government has announced.
Farmers outside the county's protection and surveillance zones will be allowed to take animals to slaughter and dispose of dead livestock.Farmers outside the county's protection and surveillance zones will be allowed to take animals to slaughter and dispose of dead livestock.
Meanwhile, culling has been ordered on a third farm close to the first and second farms already affected.Meanwhile, culling has been ordered on a third farm close to the first and second farms already affected.
A European Union export ban on British meat and livestock remains in place.A European Union export ban on British meat and livestock remains in place.
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 or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxed Send us your commentsHOW 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 or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxed Send us your comments
At a meeting in Brussels, EU veterinary and food safety experts decided emergency measures banning all British exports of meat, milk products and live animals taken on Monday would remain in place until 25 August.At a meeting in Brussels, EU veterinary and food safety experts decided emergency measures banning all British exports of meat, milk products and live animals taken on Monday would remain in place until 25 August.
The committee will meet again on 23 August.
European Commission spokesman Philip Tod said: "It was felt that it was best to keep the whole of Britain as a high-risk zone for the time being on the understanding that we can of course review this when we consider it prudent to do so."
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds told a news conference she had ordered livestock on a third farm in Surrey to be killed on suspicion the disease may have spread further.Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds told a news conference she had ordered livestock on a third farm in Surrey to be killed on suspicion the disease may have spread further.
"I cannot rule out that disease is developing on the premises," she said."I cannot rule out that disease is developing on the premises," she said.
The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday.The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday.
Dr Reynolds confirmed tests had found the strain of virus found on the second infected premises had been the same as the first.Dr Reynolds confirmed tests had found the strain of virus found on the second infected premises had been the same as the first.
See layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge ImageSee layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge Image
She said the new rules on livestock movement were "low risk" but said farmers who wanted to move animals would have to apply for a licence and abide by strict rules.She said the new rules on livestock movement were "low risk" but said farmers who wanted to move animals would have to apply for a licence and abide by strict rules.
"I continue to urge all farmers and all others involved to take the highest level of biosecurity measures and to follow the conditions of the licences in every respect," she said."I continue to urge all farmers and all others involved to take the highest level of biosecurity measures and to follow the conditions of the licences in every respect," she said.
Other movements of livestock, such as sending animals to market, are still banned.Other movements of livestock, such as sending animals to market, are still banned.
Some restrictions had already been lifted in Scotland and Wales on Tuesday.Some restrictions had already been lifted in Scotland and Wales on Tuesday.
Farmers' 'relief'Farmers' 'relief'
Kevin Pearce, director of food and farming at the National Farmers' Union, welcomed the relaxation of rules and said abattoirs would be up and running as early as Thursday morning.Kevin Pearce, director of food and farming at the National Farmers' Union, welcomed the relaxation of rules and said abattoirs would be up and running as early as Thursday morning.
Chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive, John Cross, said the news would be "great relief" to farmers but it would take time to return to "business as usual".Chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive, John Cross, said the news would be "great relief" to farmers but it would take time to return to "business as usual".
Enlarge ImageEnlarge Image
Paul Langthorne, a buffalo farmer in North Yorkshire, told BBC Radio Five Live the restrictions had been hitting his business.Paul Langthorne, a buffalo farmer in North Yorkshire, told BBC Radio Five Live the restrictions had been hitting his business.
"If the ban had stayed on, we'd just have used up all the meat in the fridge and then we'd have had to stop trading," he said."If the ban had stayed on, we'd just have used up all the meat in the fridge and then we'd have had to stop trading," he said.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the origin of the outbreak is continuing.Meanwhile, the investigation into the origin of the outbreak is continuing.
'Negligible risk''Negligible risk'
Health inspectors are looking into the possibility that the disease was transferred by employees at nearby vaccine manufacturer Merial, based in Pirbright.Health inspectors are looking into the possibility that the disease was transferred by employees at nearby vaccine manufacturer Merial, based in Pirbright.
It is understood investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use nearby allotments.It is understood investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use nearby allotments.
The Health and Safety Executive said there was a "strong probability" the outbreak began at the Pirbright research site, home to Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health and only a few miles from the affected farms.The Health and Safety Executive said there was a "strong probability" the outbreak began at the Pirbright research site, home to Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health and only a few miles from the affected farms.
But it did not specify which of the two facilities was to blame.But it did not specify which of the two facilities was to blame.
The executive said there was a "negligible" risk the virus had been spread by the wind or flooding, but it could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".The executive said there was a "negligible" risk the virus had been spread by the wind or flooding, but it could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".
READ THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
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.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.
Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures.Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures.
In a later statement the company confirmed one of its employees had accompanied investigators to an allotment but said there was "no evidence linking this member of staff to the outbreak".In a later statement the company confirmed one of its employees had accompanied investigators to an allotment but said there was "no evidence linking this member of staff to the outbreak".
Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone around the affected farms in Surrey have been closed.Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone around the affected farms in Surrey have been closed.