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Foot-and-mouth 'vigilance needed' Foot-and-mouth tests 'negative'
(about 2 hours later)
Farmers are being urged to continue looking for signs of foot-and-mouth disease despite confidence the Surrey outbreak may have been contained. A temporary control zone placed around a farm at the centre of a fourth foot-and-mouth scare has been lifted after test results proved negative.
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said livestock owners should alert the authorities over any animal concerns. But chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds urged farmers to maintain "relentless vigilance" in looking for signs of the disease.
Initial tests at the farm at the centre of a fourth scare outside the original protection zone have proved negative. She told the BBC the risk of the virus spreading outside Surrey was now "low".
Farmer John Emerson, whose farm also tested negative, said it showed the industry was "not all doom and gloom".Farmer John Emerson, whose farm also tested negative, said it showed the industry was "not all doom and gloom".
Battle for businessBattle for business
Animals at two farms near Guildford have tested positive for the disease, while animals culled at Mr Emerson's farm inside the surveillance zone set up a week ago were shown not to have foot-and-mouth.Animals at two farms near Guildford have tested positive for the disease, while animals culled at Mr Emerson's farm inside the surveillance zone set up a week ago were shown not to have foot-and-mouth.
Mr Emerson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was upset his 362 cows, sheep, pigs and goats were slaughtered despite being free of the virus. Mr Emerson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was upset his 362 cattle, sheep, pigs and goats were slaughtered despite being free of the virus.
But he said usually business was good and that on a Saturday he would have been "rushing around" to get to the local farmers' market.But he said usually business was good and that on a Saturday he would have been "rushing around" to get to the local farmers' market.
However, Mr Emerson added that his personal battle was not over.However, Mr Emerson added that his personal battle was not over.
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"We have a cold store full of meat which we're told is condemned," he said."We have a cold store full of meat which we're told is condemned," he said.
Meanwhile, the BBC has learned initial tests of samples from the fourth suspected farm at Wotton, near Dorking, have come back negative. Meanwhile, initial tests of samples from the fourth suspected farm at Wotton, near Dorking, have come back negative.
They were sent for analysis after the animals started to exhibit signs of a virus, including runny noses and swollen eyes.They were sent for analysis after the animals started to exhibit signs of a virus, including runny noses and swollen eyes.
A 3km temporary protection zone was set up around the suspected case, which is outside the existing 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone. A 3km temporary protection zone which was set up around the suspected case - outside the existing 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone - has been lifted.
The farmer, Laurence Matthews, who believes his calves have pneumonia, said vets had been "99% sure it was not foot-and-mouth."The farmer, Laurence Matthews, who believes his calves have pneumonia, said vets had been "99% sure it was not foot-and-mouth."
'Unlikely to spread''Unlikely to spread'
The negative tests will come as a boost for the government which is increasingly confident the outbreak has been contained.The negative tests will come as a boost for the government which is increasingly confident the outbreak has been contained.
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 emerge Source: Defra Legionnaires' probe Scotland border curbs eased 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 emerge Source: Defra Legionnaires' probe Scotland border curbs eased
Restrictions on taking animals to abattoirs have been lifted but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.Restrictions on taking animals to abattoirs have been lifted but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.
The restrictions have been relaxed further in Wales, with farmers allowed to move animals on welfare grounds.The restrictions have been relaxed further in Wales, with farmers allowed to move animals on welfare grounds.
On Friday, Dr Reynolds said the outbreak was unlikely to have spread outside Surrey.On Friday, Dr Reynolds said the outbreak was unlikely to have spread outside Surrey.
"While there is a risk of further cases in the same area, it is unlikely that infection from the original release of the virus will occur," she said."While there is a risk of further cases in the same area, it is unlikely that infection from the original release of the virus will occur," she said.
"However, further cases could occur from secondary spread.""However, further cases could occur from secondary spread."
It was therefore crucial for animal keepers to "continue with the most stringent biosecurity measures, remain vigilant and contact their own veterinarian or local Animal Health Office if they have any concerns", she added.It was therefore crucial for animal keepers to "continue with the most stringent biosecurity measures, remain vigilant and contact their own veterinarian or local Animal Health Office if they have any concerns", she added.
She also announced the publication of an interim report into the outbreak.She also announced the publication of an interim report into the outbreak.
It concluded the most likely source of the outbreak was the nearby Pirbright lab site, used by vaccine manufacturer Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health.It concluded the most likely source of the outbreak was the nearby Pirbright lab site, used by vaccine manufacturer Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health.
We should be saying we are perfectly capable of coping with this - we're a profitable industry, we have a good future and we can take this in our stride Sean RickardCranfield UniversityWe should be saying we are perfectly capable of coping with this - we're a profitable industry, we have a good future and we can take this in our stride Sean RickardCranfield University
Sean Rickard, from Cranfield University, who used to be chief economist for the National Farmers' Union, told the Today programme the isolated nature of the outbreak meant the economic impact would be limited.Sean Rickard, from Cranfield University, who used to be chief economist for the National Farmers' Union, told the Today programme the isolated nature of the outbreak meant the economic impact would be limited.
It was important not to exaggerate its effects, which would send the "wrong signals" to other farmers, their customers and people abroad, he said.It was important not to exaggerate its effects, which would send the "wrong signals" to other farmers, their customers and people abroad, he said.
He added: "We should be saying we are perfectly capable of coping with this - we're a profitable industry, we have a good future and we can take this in our stride."He added: "We should be saying we are perfectly capable of coping with this - we're a profitable industry, we have a good future and we can take this in our stride."
On Friday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared "Britain was open for business" and said that everything was being done to get the country back to normal outside the restricted zones.On Friday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared "Britain was open for business" and said that everything was being done to get the country back to normal outside the restricted zones.
The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, last Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a neighbouring farm on Monday. Cattle in both cases have been culled.The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, last Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a neighbouring farm on Monday. Cattle in both cases have been culled.