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New foot-and-mouth case confirmed New foot-and-mouth case confirmed
(10 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 near Milton Park Farm, near Egham, where a 10km control zone has been set up.Chief veterinary officer Dr Debby Reynolds confirmed the outbreak near 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.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government had acted swiftly, and the outbreak was under control.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government had acted swiftly, and the outbreak was under control.
Meanwhile, vets in Scotland and Norfolk are investigating two sick animals as a precautionary measure.Meanwhile, vets in Scotland and Norfolk are investigating two sick animals as a precautionary measure.
A single sheep is being tested at an agricultural centre in Lanarkshire after showing some signs of illness.A single sheep is being tested at an agricultural centre in Lanarkshire after showing some signs of illness.
And government sources said a temporary control zone has been established around the unidentified location in Norfolk.And government sources said a temporary control zone has been established around the unidentified location in Norfolk.
Maps showing location of suspected outbreak Maps showing location of suspected outbreak
Speaking on BBC News 24, the prime minister said the government's first priority was to "contain, control and eradicate" the disease.
Mr Brown said he sympathised with livestock farmers but that they would understand the need for a swift response.
"At all times we will be absolutely vigilant - both in looking for the root causes and controlling and eradicating this disease," he said.
He rejected criticisms that the government responses to this outbreak of foot-and-mouth had been too late.
"The moment the foot-and-mouth outbreak was confirmed, the national ban [on livestock movements] was put in place," Mr Brown added.
The latest outbreak in Surrey comes just days after the government declared the county to be free of foot-and-mouth.The latest outbreak in Surrey comes just days after the government declared the county to be free of foot-and-mouth.
Mr Brown promised to update the public personally once the source of the outbreak had been confirmed.
Animal research site
The farm is just 10 miles from an animal research site in Pirbright, which was the centre of an outbreak in August.The farm is just 10 miles from an animal research site in Pirbright, which was the centre of an outbreak in August.
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.
This is news that no one wanted to hear, least of all the farming industry Hilary Benn, environment secretary Disease 'triumph' sours Disease begins to bite
Surrey County Council said the area at the centre of the outbreak is grazing land attached to Milton Park farm, while the animals on the land are owned by Hardwick Park farm.Surrey County Council said the area at the centre of the outbreak is grazing land attached to Milton Park farm, while the animals on the land are owned by Hardwick Park farm.
Dr Reynolds said up to 300 cattle were being culled on the farm, and a "small number of pigs". The farm is made up of a number of different parcels of land.Dr Reynolds said up to 300 cattle were being culled on the farm, and a "small number of pigs". The farm is made up of a number of different parcels of land.
Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said it was a "hammer-blow" to the industry.Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said it was a "hammer-blow" to the industry.
"Our main focus now must be on controlling and eradicating the disease as quickly as possible," he said."Our main focus now must be on controlling and eradicating the disease as quickly as possible," he said.
This is news that no one wanted to hear, least of all the farming industry Hilary Benn, environment secretary Lanarkshire sheep tested Disease starts to bite
"Farmers must be extremely vigilant and biosecurity is of paramount importance.""Farmers must be extremely vigilant and biosecurity is of paramount importance."
He said the outbreak could not have come at a worse time, as tens of thousands of stock were due to be moving from upland to low-land farm areas in the next few weeks.He said the outbreak could not have come at a worse time, as tens of thousands of stock were due to be moving from upland to low-land farm areas in the next few weeks.
Agriculture ministry Defra said a movement ban on cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has been imposed in England, and parallel arrangements were being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations.Agriculture ministry Defra said a movement ban on cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has been imposed in England, and parallel arrangements were being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations.
Dr Reynolds urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions.Dr Reynolds urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions.
Restrictions have been put in place at the farm in SurreyRestrictions have been put in place at the farm in Surrey
Microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, said he would be "extremely surprised" if it was not the same strain as the one identified last month.Microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, said he would be "extremely surprised" if it was not the same strain as the one identified last month.
He said: "It's not odd that it was still quietly lurking around.He said: "It's not odd that it was still quietly lurking around.
"In the optimum damp, cool conditions we've been experiencing recently, it can last a couple of months, depending on the surface it is on.""In the optimum damp, cool conditions we've been experiencing recently, it can last a couple of months, depending on the surface it is on."
Cross-contamination from sheep was another avenue experts would be exploring, he added.Cross-contamination from sheep was another avenue experts would be exploring, he added.
Emergency meetingEmergency meeting
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn talked of his "determination" to contain and eradicate the outbreak.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn talked of his "determination" to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
The utmost vigilance was needed from everyone, he added.The utmost vigilance was needed from everyone, he added.
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response.Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth criticised the government's initial response.
Police have been sealing off roads near the farmPolice 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.
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."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 has chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.
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.
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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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