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Foot-and-mouth virus was in pipe Foot-and-mouth virus was in pipe
(about 1 hour later)
Probes into last month's foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey have found the virus was in a pipe on the nearby Pirbright laboratory site, the BBC has learned. Investigators say the virus that led to the UK's recent foot-and-mouth outbreak was probably present in a pipe on the nearby Pirbright laboratory site.
The Health and Safety Executive found lapses in biosecurity at the site. The Health and Safety Executive found biosecurity lapses at the Surrey site.
Virus traces were found in a pipe running from the Merial pharmaceutical firm to a treatment plant operated by a government-run lab on the same complex.Virus traces were found in a pipe running from the Merial pharmaceutical firm to a treatment plant operated by a government-run lab on the same complex.
It is believed the pipe may have been damaged by tree roots before flooding pushed the traces to the surface.It is believed the pipe may have been damaged by tree roots before flooding pushed the traces to the surface.
It is not known how the virus found its way on to the farmland a few miles way following the flooding on 20 July.It is not known how the virus found its way on to the farmland a few miles way following the flooding on 20 July.
But the investigation did establish that contractors working at Pirbright at the time travelled to and from the site using a country road adjoining the farmland where the first outbreak occurred.But the investigation did establish that contractors working at Pirbright at the time travelled to and from the site using a country road adjoining the farmland where the first outbreak occurred.
Ongoing talksOngoing talks
The Pirbright lab complex is shared by the Institute for Animal Health (IAH), an international diagnostic laboratory, and the private pharmaceutical company Merial Animal Health.The Pirbright lab complex is shared by the Institute for Animal Health (IAH), an international diagnostic laboratory, and the private pharmaceutical company Merial Animal Health.
See layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge ImageSee layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge Image
Experts were sent to the Pirbright site after it emerged that the strain of disease being studied there was the same as the one that infected cattle at a farm in Guildford at the beginning of August.Experts were sent to the Pirbright site after it emerged that the strain of disease being studied there was the same as the one that infected cattle at a farm in Guildford at the beginning of August.
The BBC understands that ongoing talks are taking place between Merial and the government about whose responsibility it is to maintain the pipe.The BBC understands that ongoing talks are taking place between Merial and the government about whose responsibility it is to maintain the pipe.
There is also concern that worries about the condition of the pipe escaped the notice of government inspectors who licensed the laboratories.There is also concern that worries about the condition of the pipe escaped the notice of government inspectors who licensed the laboratories.
A broader investigation by leading scientist, Professor Sir Brian Spratt, has highlighted a lack of co-ordination in bio-security between Merial and the IAH.A broader investigation by leading scientist, Professor Sir Brian Spratt, has highlighted a lack of co-ordination in bio-security between Merial and the IAH.