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/6993169.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
'Pirbright link' to farm outbreak 'Pirbright link' to farm outbreak
(about 1 hour later)
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey was probably caused by the same strain that infected herds last month, initial tests suggest.The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey was probably caused by the same strain that infected herds last month, initial tests suggest.
Environment department Defra said the strain found in Egham was similar to that from the Pirbright research site in Surrey, blamed for the August cases.Environment department Defra said the strain found in Egham was similar to that from the Pirbright research site in Surrey, blamed for the August cases.
The government is facing criticism that it was too quick to declare Britain foot-and-mouth free last week.The government is facing criticism that it was too quick to declare Britain foot-and-mouth free last week.
A movement ban is in place, and the EU has stopped animal exports.A movement ban is in place, and the EU has stopped animal exports.
The infected cattle in the latest outbreak are on a farm 10 miles from the Pirbright site, and the disease was confirmed only a week after the previous restrictions on cattle movements were lifted.The infected cattle in the latest outbreak are on a farm 10 miles from the Pirbright site, and the disease was confirmed only a week after the previous restrictions on cattle movements were lifted.
Zones are imposed around a number of sites in Surrey after new foot and mouth outbreakEnlarge MapZones are imposed around a number of sites in Surrey after new foot and mouth outbreakEnlarge Map
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.
A 10km (6.2 mile) control zone has been set up around the area.A 10km (6.2 mile) control zone has been set up around the area.
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.
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".
The president of the National Farmers' Union has spoken of "the real state of despair" among his members.The president of the National Farmers' Union has spoken of "the real state of despair" among his members.
Peter Kendall said this latest outbreak was "much worse" than last month's, because it had come at a time when livestock farmers needed to move their animals, and send them to market.Peter Kendall said this latest outbreak was "much worse" than last month's, because it had come at a time when livestock farmers needed to move their animals, and send them to market.
Livestock immunisationLivestock immunisation
Mr Kendall was attending an emergency meeting of politicians, animal health experts and officials - chaired by the prime minister - to plan the government's next response to the outbreak.Mr Kendall was attending an emergency meeting of politicians, animal health experts and officials - chaired by the prime minister - to plan the government's next response to the outbreak.
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 Perthshire sheep tested Disease 'to cost millions'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 Perthshire sheep tested Disease 'to cost millions'
Earlier, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said there was "absolutely no truth" in Conservative leader David Cameron's suggestion that the chief veterinary officer had been pressured to declare Britain clear of the disease too soon for economic reasons.Earlier, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said there was "absolutely no truth" in Conservative leader David Cameron's suggestion that the chief veterinary officer had been pressured to declare Britain clear of the disease too soon for economic reasons.
He said immunisation of livestock was being considered.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. "The puzzling thing is it's more than 30 days since the last confirmed outbreak. The incubation period for foot and mouth is 2 to 14 days," he said.
"The puzzling thing is it's more than 30 days since the last confirmed outbreak. The incubation period for foot and mouth is 2 to 14 days."
Same strain
Experts at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) in Pirbright, Surrey - the same laboratory at the centre of an investigation into the earlier outbreak - are now working to identify the strain of the virus and to confirm any connection.Experts at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) in Pirbright, Surrey - the same laboratory at the centre of an investigation into the earlier outbreak - are now working to identify the strain of the virus and to confirm any connection.
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
Confirmation that it is the same strain as the Pirbright virus could come later on Thursday.Confirmation that it is the same strain as the Pirbright virus could come later on Thursday.
Movement restrictions
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 also said the Egham case was likely to involve the same strain of virus.He also said the Egham case was likely to involve the same strain of virus.
"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."
Movement ban
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.
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 Disease 'triumph' sours Disease begins to biteWHY 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 Disease 'triumph' sours Disease begins to bite
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.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.
There is one exception - a sheep market in the Scottish Highlands is being allowed to go ahead.There is one exception - a sheep market in the Scottish Highlands is being allowed to go ahead.
Tests were set to be carried out at a Perthshire farm after one sheep sent from it to the southern England for slaughter showed possible signs of foot-and-mouth. Meanwhile, vets in Norfolk were also investigating a sick animal as a precautionary measure.
And vets in Norfolk were also investigating a sick animal as a precautionary measure.
Government sources said a temporary control zone has been established around the unidentified location in Norfolk. It's not yet known whether the incident is foot-and-mouth related.Government sources said a temporary control zone has been established around the unidentified location in Norfolk. It's not yet known whether the incident is foot-and-mouth related.
The European Commission has banned all live animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease from being exported from the UK.The European Commission has banned all live animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease from being exported from the UK.
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