This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6982709.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Five breaches at farm disease lab Five breaches at farm disease lab
(about 1 hour later)
David Shukman BBC environment correspondent Investigators probing the cause of last month's outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease have identified no fewer than five breaches of bio-security at the Pirbright site of the government-run Institute for Animal Health, the BBC has learned.David Shukman BBC environment correspondent Investigators probing the cause of last month's outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease have identified no fewer than five breaches of bio-security at the Pirbright site of the government-run Institute for Animal Health, the BBC has learned.
Vehicles may have helped spread the virus to the cattleThe breaches are documented in two reports to be released later, one by the Health and Safety Executive and the other by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College.Vehicles may have helped spread the virus to the cattleThe breaches are documented in two reports to be released later, one by the Health and Safety Executive and the other by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College.
They raise highly awkward questions about the management of the site in Surrey.They raise highly awkward questions about the management of the site in Surrey.
The institute shared the Pirbright site with the Merial animal vaccine company. It is about four miles from the farm where the disease was first found in July.The institute shared the Pirbright site with the Merial animal vaccine company. It is about four miles from the farm where the disease was first found in July.
Among the breaches are leaks in a pipe linking Merial to a treatment plant run by the institute; problems with drains failing to cope with floodwater; and failures in the monitoring and control of people and vehicles at the site.Among the breaches are leaks in a pipe linking Merial to a treatment plant run by the institute; problems with drains failing to cope with floodwater; and failures in the monitoring and control of people and vehicles at the site.
ConcernsConcerns
The BBC understands that photographs of the pipe show clear signs of damage from tree roots and of some joints being misaligned.The BBC understands that photographs of the pipe show clear signs of damage from tree roots and of some joints being misaligned.
The investigators reportedly found records indicating that for several years there had been concerns about the state of the pipe, but that no repairs were carried out, possibly because funds were not made available.The investigators reportedly found records indicating that for several years there had been concerns about the state of the pipe, but that no repairs were carried out, possibly because funds were not made available.
The BBC understands investigators have not identified a single point of failure allowing the foot-and-mouth virus to escape, but they have outlined a scenario for what they believe happened:The BBC understands investigators have not identified a single point of failure allowing the foot-and-mouth virus to escape, but they have outlined a scenario for what they believe happened:
  • The virus was present in the pipe, which is allowed under current rules governing animal viruses
  • The virus was present in the pipe, which is allowed under current rules governing animal viruses
  • It was then flushed out of it during flooding at the site on 20 July
  • It was then flushed out of it during flooding at the site on 20 July
  • Vehicles used by contractors then drove into the flooded area allowing the virus to be picked up on the tyres or chassis
  • Vehicles used by contractors then drove into the flooded area allowing the virus to be picked up on the tyres or chassis
  • Those vehicles then left the site and travelled several miles to a road called Westward Lane which was also flooded, and there the waters washed the virus off the vehicles and into fields nearby where the cattle became infected
  • Those vehicles then left the site and travelled several miles to a road called Westward Lane which was also flooded, and there the waters washed the virus off the vehicles and into fields nearby where the cattle became infected
    • It is expected that ministers will announce a series of measures in response to these findings.It is expected that ministers will announce a series of measures in response to these findings.
    A review will assess whether animal viruses should be handled as strictly as human viruses.A review will assess whether animal viruses should be handled as strictly as human viruses.
    Emergency work will be carried out on the drains - the damaged pipe is already being re-lined. And there will be tighter controls on movements at the site.Emergency work will be carried out on the drains - the damaged pipe is already being re-lined. And there will be tighter controls on movements at the site.
    Sources say the reports in no way suggest any negligence at the site, but the conclusions will prove highly embarrassing.Sources say the reports in no way suggest any negligence at the site, but the conclusions will prove highly embarrassing.
    Dr Julian Hiscox, a biosecurity expert and senior lecturer in virology at Leeds University, told the BBC that there did need to be some changes at the site.
    He said: "What we need to be looking at now is inspecting the infrastructure. These are, as the report suggests, very old buildings.
    "They are decades old and I think we have to look at a programme of renewal which indeed is going on in the Purbright complex."
    In the outbreak, at least 200 animals were culled and livestock movements were restricted around Britain.In the outbreak, at least 200 animals were culled and livestock movements were restricted around Britain.
    The outbreak cost farmers millions of pounds and although the authorities were widely praised for their actions in containing it, they face heavy criticism for their handling of a facility that apparently allowed the virus to escape in the first place.The outbreak cost farmers millions of pounds and although the authorities were widely praised for their actions in containing it, they face heavy criticism for their handling of a facility that apparently allowed the virus to escape in the first place.