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Foot-and-mouth tests 'negative' Foot-and-mouth tests 'negative'
(40 minutes later)
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.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.
But chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds urged farmers to maintain "relentless vigilance" in looking for signs of the disease.But chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds urged farmers to maintain "relentless vigilance" in looking for signs of the disease.
She told the BBC the risk of the virus spreading outside Surrey was now "low".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 cattle, 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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See map of remaining protection zone
"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, tests of samples from the fourth suspected farm at Wotton, near Dorking, have come back negative.Meanwhile, 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 which was set up around the suspected case - outside the existing 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone - has been lifted.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 told him they had been "99% sure it was not foot-and-mouth."The farmer, Laurence Matthews, who believes his calves have pneumonia, said vets had told him they 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.
Dr Reynolds said the overall evaluation was that the "risk of spread outside Surrey was low".Dr Reynolds said the overall evaluation was that the "risk of spread outside Surrey was low".
The vigilance of the farming community in spotting signs of the disease had helped with the quick response, she said.The vigilance of the farming community in spotting signs of the disease had helped with the quick response, she said.
She welcomed the latest negative test results but said a "substantial operation" was still under way to contain the disease.She welcomed the latest negative test results but said a "substantial operation" was still under way to contain the disease.
"I am very pleased that can be lifted now, but I do have to remind everyone this is a time for relentless vigilance," she said."I am very pleased that can be lifted now, but I do have to remind everyone this is a time for relentless vigilance," she said.
"Everybody who has livestock will be looking at them very regularly for any signs of foot-and-mouth disease.""Everybody who has livestock will be looking at them very regularly for any signs of foot-and-mouth disease."
She earlier announced the publication of an interim report into the outbreak.She earlier 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
Asked if the investigation was considering the possibility that the outbreak had been caused deliberately, Dr Reynolds said "every avenue" was being explored.Asked if the investigation was considering the possibility that the outbreak had been caused deliberately, Dr Reynolds said "every avenue" was being explored.
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.
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