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New foot-and-mouth case confirmed New foot-and-mouth case confirmed
(41 minutes later)
A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Surrey, government sources have told the BBC. A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Surrey, the government has said.
A 10km (6.2 mile) control zone centred on the affected farm near Egham has been put in place, and cattle from the herd are being culled. Chief veterinary officer Dr Debby Reynolds confirmed the outbreak at Milton Park Farm, near Egham, where a 10km control zone has been set up.
A national movement ban is in effect to prevent the disease spreading from Milton Park Farm, Stroude Road. A national movement ban has been put in place to prevent the disease spreading, and cattle are being culled.
A report into the August outbreak, also in Surrey, blamed a leaking pipe at an animal research site in Pirbright. The farm is 10 miles from an animal research site in Pirbright, which was the centre of an outbreak in August.
Maps showing location of suspected outbreak Maps showing location of suspected outbreak
'Happening again'
The latest outbreak comes just days after the government declared Surrey to be foot-and-mouth free.The latest outbreak comes just days after the government declared Surrey to be foot-and-mouth free.
The surveillance zone around the original outbreak was only lifted at midday on Saturday. The surveillance zone around the original outbreak was lifted only at midday on Saturday.
The affected area is about 10 miles from Pirbright. Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union, told BBC News 24 it was a "disaster" for British agriculture and the industry "will be absolutely devastated".
Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union, told BBC News 24 it was a "disaster" for British agriculture and the industry "will be absolutely devastated" at the news. "I think this will be a catastrophic body blow for the industry who worked so hard to eradicate the previous outbreak," he said.
It's just the worst news that farmers could possibly have expected or wanted Peter Ainsworth, shadow environment secretaryIt's just the worst news that farmers could possibly have expected or wanted Peter Ainsworth, shadow environment secretary
Dr Debby Reynolds, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said the control zone was put in place swiftly because "containment and eradication of foot-and-mouth is our top priority". In a statement, agriculture ministry Defra said: "On the basis of these initial laboratory results and clinical symptoms Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, has confirmed foot-and-mouth disease.
"A movement ban of cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has now been imposed in England and parallel arrangements are being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations."
Dr Reynolds said the control zone was put in place swiftly because "containment and eradication of foot-and-mouth is our top priority".
She urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions.She urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions.
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response and said it was the "worst news" for farmers.
Emergency meetingEmergency meeting
"As a precautionary measure, because you can't take risks with foot-and-mouth, there should have been a national movement ban put in place straight away," he said. Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response and said it was the "worst news" for farmers.
"As a precautionary measure, because you can't take risks with foot-and-mouth, there should have been a national movement ban put in place straightaway," he said.
"It's just the worst news that farmers could possibly have expected or wanted.""It's just the worst news that farmers could possibly have expected or wanted."
The EU has halted plans to lift the export ban on livestock products from the area around the original outbreak. The EU has halted plans to lift the export ban on livestock products from the area around the original outbreak. Live animals and meat products can be exported from outside the surveillance zone around it, with additional veterinary supervision and certification.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday afternoon. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday afternoon.
A farmer at Stroude Farm, Stroude Road, said he had heard nothing of the news.A farmer at Stroude Farm, Stroude Road, said he had heard nothing of the news.
He said: "This has made me go all cold. It was only Monday that they opened up the country after the last time.He said: "This has made me go all cold. It was only Monday that they opened up the country after the last time.
"I can't believe it's happening again. I have heard nothing about it. You'd think they'd let us know.""I can't believe it's happening again. I have heard nothing about it. You'd think they'd let us know."
Previous outbreak Drains blamed
The control zone was set up around the suspected outbreak at 0935 BST.The control zone was set up around the suspected outbreak at 0935 BST.
Earlier in the summer, two farms tested positive for the disease but the all-clear has since been given. Parts of the Windsor Castle estate fall within the zone, and a number of precautionary measures have been introduced - gates have been closed, disinfectant pads established, and the deer park closed.
All riding permits and the Guards polo matches in Windsor Great Park have been suspended, and dogs will have to be kept on a lead.
Earlier in the summer, two farms tested positive for the disease.
Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August.Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August.
A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August. A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August. The all-clear was later given.
A report into the previous outbreak found it was probably caused by leaking drains, heavy rain and building work at the Pirbright site, four miles from where the disease was originally found.A report into the previous outbreak found it was probably caused by leaking drains, heavy rain and building work at the Pirbright site, four miles from where the disease was originally found.
But the Health and Safety Executive said it was not clear which of the two labs which share the site - Merial, a private pharmaceutical company, and the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) - were responsible.But the Health and Safety Executive said it was not clear which of the two labs which share the site - Merial, a private pharmaceutical company, and the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) - were responsible.
A 5km biosecurity zone around the Pirbright site is still in place, according to the Defra website. A UK-wide movement ban on live animals put in place after that outbreak had been lifted, although a 5km (3 mile) biosecurity zone around the Pirbright site is still in place, according to the Defra website.
The Great Britain wide movement ban on live animals has been lifted and as of 25 August, live animals and meat products can again be exported from outside the area known as the surveillance zone to the rest of the European Union with additional veterinary supervision and certification.
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Do you live near the site of the suspected outbreak? Do you have any information that you would like to share? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.Do you live near the site of the suspected outbreak? Do you have any information that you would like to share? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.
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