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New foot-and-mouth probe begins New foot-and-mouth probe begins
(about 1 hour later)
Scientists are trying to establish whether a fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is the same strain which infected herds last month.Scientists are trying to establish whether a fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is the same strain which infected herds last month.
Cattle on farmland near Egham in Surrey were confirmed as infected on Wednesday - only a week after Britain was declared to be free of the disease.Cattle on farmland near Egham in Surrey were confirmed as infected on Wednesday - only a week after Britain was declared to be free of the disease.
Cattle and pigs at another farm nearby were also being slaughtered on suspicion of infection, Defra said.Cattle and pigs at another farm nearby were also being slaughtered on suspicion of infection, Defra said.
A national movement ban is in place and the European Union has banned exports.A national movement ban is in place and the European Union has banned exports.
Experts at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) in Pirbright, Surrey, are working to identify whether the strain of the virus to see if the two outbreaks are connected. Experts at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) in Pirbright, Surrey, are working to identify the strain of the virus to see if the two outbreaks are connected.
Satellite image showing location of suspected outbreak Satellite image showing location of suspected outbreak
In August, it was the institute itself that was at the centre of the investigation into how the disease was spread to two herds.In August, it was the institute itself that was at the centre of the investigation into how the disease was spread to two herds.
Protection zone - all premises containing livestock will be inspected by vets, and will be subject to restrictions on movements of animals, animal products, some vehicles, and some activities.Surveillance zone - restrictions on movements of susceptible animals, animal products, manure, and some activities. No restrictions on the movement of non-susceptible animals, such as pets, vehicles, or slaughter for private consumption
Faulty pipe work on the site was blamed but that has since been repaired.Faulty pipe work on the site was blamed but that has since been repaired.
Professor Brian Spratt, of Imperial College London, produced a report into the biosecurity leak at Pirbright which led to last month's outbreak.Professor Brian Spratt, of Imperial College London, produced a report into the biosecurity leak at Pirbright which led to last month's outbreak.
He said the Egham case was likely to involve the same strain of virus.He said the Egham case was likely to involve the same strain of virus.
Protection zone - all premises containing livestock will be inspected by vets, and will be subject to restrictions on movements of animals, animal products, some vehicles, and some activities.Surveillance zone - restrictions on movements of susceptible animals, animal products, manure, and some activities. No restrictions on the movement of non-susceptible animals, such as pets, vehicles, or slaughter for private consumption
"It's very concerning and very depressing because I think that Defra put in place all the right measures and a week and a half ago they seemed to have it completely under control and everybody was congratulating Defra on a fantastic job of controlling this outbreak," he said."It's very concerning and very depressing because I think that Defra put in place all the right measures and a week and a half ago they seemed to have it completely under control and everybody was congratulating Defra on a fantastic job of controlling this outbreak," he said.
"Now it all seems to have gone completely wrong and we've got to find out what the reason for it is.""Now it all seems to have gone completely wrong and we've got to find out what the reason for it is."
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.
'Swift response'
The government's first priority was to "contain, control and eradicate" the disease, he said.The government's first priority was to "contain, control and eradicate" the disease, he said.
Mr Brown said he sympathised with livestock farmers but that they would understand the need for a swift response.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. And he rejected criticisms that the government responses to this outbreak of foot-and-mouth had been too late.
He rejected criticisms that the government responses to this outbreak of foot-and-mouth had been too late. WHY IS THE VIRUS BACK? The foot-and-mouth virus is less symptomatic in sheep so an infection from the first outbreak could have been overlookedThe virus can survive in soil for up to 28 daysIt can also survive in water for up to 50 daysFoot-and-mouth can also linger in hay and straw for up to 20 weeksIt could be a new strain of the virus, but experts say this is unlikely class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6991724.stm">Disease 'triumph' sours class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6991564.stm">Disease begins to bite
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said there was "absolutely no truth" in Tory leader David Cameron's suggestion that the chief veterinary officer had been pressured to declare Britain clear of the disease for economic reasons.
He said immunisation of livestock was being considered.
"We have put arrangements in place to be able to vaccinate if we thought that was the right thing to do," he said.
A 10km control zone has been set up around the Surrey site near Milton Park Farm.A 10km control zone has been set up around the Surrey site near Milton Park Farm.
Chief vet Dr Debby Reynolds said up to 300 cattle were being culled on the farm, and a "small number of pigs".Chief vet Dr Debby Reynolds said up to 300 cattle were being culled on the farm, and a "small number of pigs".
This is news that no one wanted to hear, least of all the farming industry Hilary Benn, environment secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6991724.stm">Disease 'triumph' sours class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6991564.stm">Disease begins to bite 'Hammer-blow'
Protection zones of 3km (two miles) have been set up around each farm holding on the land, and a 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone imposed.Protection zones of 3km (two miles) have been set up around each farm holding on the land, and a 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone imposed.
Meanwhile, vets in Norfolk are investigating a sick animal as a precautionary measure.
Government sources said a temporary control zone has been established around the unidentified location in Norfolk.
A sheep which was tested in Scotland for the virus was found to be clear of foot-and-mouth.
The movement restrictions came into force while livestock sales were taking place around the country.The movement restrictions came into force while livestock sales were taking place around the country.
About 1,300 cattle are stranded in Carlisle, but farmers in Bakewell, Derbyshire, have been granted a temporary licence to move at least 8,000 sheep.
WHY IS THE VIRUS BACK? The foot-and-mouth virus is less symptomatic in sheep so an infection from the first outbreak could have been overlookedThe virus can survive in soil for up to 28 daysIt can also survive in water for up to 50 daysFoot-and-mouth can also linger in hay and straw for up to 20 weeksIt could be a new strain of the virus, but experts say this is unlikely
Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said it was a "hammer-blow" to the industry.
"Farmers must be extremely vigilant and biosecurity is of paramount importance," he said.
He added that 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.
Dr Reynolds urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions.
HAVE YOUR SAY A bumper harvest for farming bankruptcy Geoff Littler Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY A bumper harvest for farming bankruptcy Geoff Littler Send us your comments
Conservative leader David Cameron said the outbreak meant there was a real question about government competence. Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union, said it was a "hammer-blow" to the industry.
He suggested there may have been pressure on the chief vet to lift the ban, but Defra dismissed the suggestion as "nonsense". 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.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said it was crucial to identify the strain quickly to see whether biosecurity at the labs had "failed again".Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said it was crucial to identify the strain quickly to see whether biosecurity at the labs had "failed again".
Meanwhile, the European Commission has reversed a decision made on Tuesday to lift a ban on meat and livestock exports from Britain to the other UK member states.Meanwhile, the European Commission has reversed a decision made on Tuesday to lift a ban on meat and livestock exports from Britain to the other UK member states.
It means all live animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease cannot be exported from Great Britain, nor can their products.It means all live animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease cannot be exported from Great Britain, nor can their products.
Restrictions have been put in place at the farm in SurreyRestrictions have been put in place at the farm in Surrey
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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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