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/6990913.stm

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
New foot-and-mouth case confirmed New foot-and-mouth case confirmed
(19 minutes later)
A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Surrey, the government has said.A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Surrey, the government has said.
Chief veterinary officer Dr Debby Reynolds confirmed the outbreak at Milton Park Farm, near Egham, where a 10km control zone has been set up.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 has been put in place to prevent the disease spreading, and cattle are being culled.A national movement ban has been put in place to prevent the disease spreading, and cattle are being culled.
The farm is 10 miles from an animal research site in Pirbright, which was the centre of an outbreak in August.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
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 lifted only at midday on Saturday.The surveillance zone around the original outbreak was lifted only at midday on Saturday.
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".
"I think this will be a catastrophic body blow for the industry who worked so hard to eradicate the previous outbreak," he said."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
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.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.""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".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.
Emergency meetingEmergency meeting
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "This is news that no one wanted to hear, least of all the farming industry.
"The immediate establishment of both a Protection Zone, with footpaths closed within it, and a national animal movement ban shows our determination to contain and eradicate this latest outbreak.
"Having spoken this morning to farming industry representatives, I know they share this view and the utmost vigilance is now needed from everyone."
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response and said it was the "worst news" for farmers.Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response and said it was the "worst news" for farmers.
Police have been sealing off roads near the farm
"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."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."
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: "It is crucial to quickly identify whether this strain of the virus was being worked on at Pirbright or matches the previous outbreak, and whether biosecurity at the labs has failed again."
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.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 chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday afternoon. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.
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."
Drains blamedDrains 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.
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.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.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.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. The all-clear was later given.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 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.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.
ReturnReturn
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.
Name
 Name