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Outbreak at second farm confirmed Outbreak at second farm confirmed
(about 1 hour later)
Cattle culled at a second Surrey farm have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, it has been confirmed.Cattle culled at a second Surrey farm have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, it has been confirmed.
The "precautionary" cull of animals had taken place at Stroude Farm, Egham, near the scene of the outbreak of the disease discovered on Wednesday.The "precautionary" cull of animals had taken place at Stroude Farm, Egham, near the scene of the outbreak of the disease discovered on Wednesday.
Initial tests say the strain found on Wednesday was the same as that found during the outbreak in August.Initial tests say the strain found on Wednesday was the same as that found during the outbreak in August.
The government is also considering easing movement restrictions on animals in England, as in Scotland and Wales.The government is also considering easing movement restrictions on animals in England, as in Scotland and Wales.
Control zoneControl zone
Debby Reynolds, the government's chief vet, confirmed that foot-and-mouth had been present at the farm - taking the total number of farms where the disease has been found in 2007 to four.Debby Reynolds, the government's chief vet, confirmed that foot-and-mouth had been present at the farm - taking the total number of farms where the disease has been found in 2007 to four.
Zones are imposed around places where outbreaks have been confirmed and related sitesEnlarge MapZones are imposed around places where outbreaks have been confirmed and related sitesEnlarge Map
Ms Reynolds said she was glad that all the animals on the farm had been culled before the test results were announced.Ms Reynolds said she was glad that all the animals on the farm had been culled before the test results were announced.
Stroude farm is about 10 miles from the Pirbright research complex - blamed as the source for the foot-and-mouth outbreaks at two farms last month.Stroude farm is about 10 miles from the Pirbright research complex - blamed as the source for the foot-and-mouth outbreaks at two farms last month.
Environment department sources say that a total of 940 cattle and pigs have been culled so far in the latest outbreak.Environment department sources say that a total of 940 cattle and pigs have been culled so far in the latest outbreak.
Culling was continuing in areas at Ripley and near Shepperton, Staines and Thorpe which are part of the first farm to be infected. The two farming businesses affected - Stroude Farm and Hardwick Court Farm where the first case was identified on Wednesday - are spread over eight areas including Ripley, Shepperton, Staines and Thorpe.
A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone has been set up around the farming land, with a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone encircling it.
Culling is expected to be finished by Friday night, with cordons due to be lifted by Saturday morning.
Scientists investigating the disease are working on the possibility it was carried by soil or through the air, and was not a water-borne transmission.Scientists investigating the disease are working on the possibility it was carried by soil or through the air, and was not a water-borne transmission.
A 10km (6.2 mile) control zone has been set up around both of the farms affected.
'Proportionate response''Proportionate response'
The movement ban was put in place across Britain when cattle on land in Egham were found to be infected on Wednesday.The movement ban was put in place across Britain when cattle on land in Egham were found to be infected on Wednesday.
WHAT CONTROL ZONE MEANS Protection zone (3km) - all premises containing livestock inspected by vets, and subject to restrictions on movements of animals, animal products, some vehicles, and some activitiesSurveillance zone (10km) - 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 Vital questions Send us your commentsWHAT CONTROL ZONE MEANS Protection zone (3km) - all premises containing livestock inspected by vets, and subject to restrictions on movements of animals, animal products, some vehicles, and some activitiesSurveillance zone (10km) - 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 Vital questions Send us your comments
Administrations in Wales and Scotland eased the restrictions to allow farmers to take livestock direct to slaughter.Administrations in Wales and Scotland eased the restrictions to allow farmers to take livestock direct to slaughter.
Animals can still not be traded or moved for any other reason. The Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the decision was a "proportionate" response.Animals can still not be traded or moved for any other reason. The Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the decision was a "proportionate" response.
Farmers say the easing of the total ban will ease the backlog of animals already sold, and will particularly help pig farmers who supply animals under long-term contracts.Farmers say the easing of the total ban will ease the backlog of animals already sold, and will particularly help pig farmers who supply animals under long-term contracts.
The move could also help to avert any possible meat shortages in the shops.The move could also help to avert any possible meat shortages in the shops.
The restrictions were questioned by some farmers. One Northumberland farmer, 300 miles from the Surrey outbreak, questioned why he could not move his lambs to slaughter.The restrictions were questioned by some farmers. One Northumberland farmer, 300 miles from the Surrey outbreak, questioned why he could not move his lambs to slaughter.
"Welsh farmers, who may be situated less than 100 miles from the outbreak could do this. How can this be on the basis of good scientific evidence?" David Renner told BBC News."Welsh farmers, who may be situated less than 100 miles from the outbreak could do this. How can this be on the basis of good scientific evidence?" David Renner told BBC News.
Economic consequencesEconomic consequences
Farmers said the 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.Farmers said the 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.
National Farmers' Union president Peter Kendall said the restrictions would have "enormous economic consequences" for the already struggling livestock industry.National Farmers' Union president Peter Kendall said the restrictions would have "enormous economic consequences" for the already struggling livestock industry.
Prince Charles, patron of the Farm Crisis Network, had to cancel a planned visit to North Yorkshire farmers because of movement restrictions.Prince Charles, patron of the Farm Crisis Network, had to cancel a planned visit to North Yorkshire farmers because of movement restrictions.
"For all the poor farmers, particularly all the livestock ones, it's a complete nightmare to have another outbreak, and everything brought to a grinding halt, particularly at a time when all the autumn sheep sales are coming up."For all the poor farmers, particularly all the livestock ones, it's a complete nightmare to have another outbreak, and everything brought to a grinding halt, particularly at a time when all the autumn sheep sales are coming up.
"It is a real real blow for people.""It is a real real blow for people."
Too quick?Too quick?
The disease was confirmed in Egham only a week after the previous restrictions on cattle movements were lifted.The disease was confirmed in Egham only a week after the previous restrictions on cattle movements were lifted.
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 'to cost millions'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 'to cost millions'
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.
It has denied that Dr Reynolds was pressurised into giving the all-clear too early after the last outbreak.It has denied that Dr Reynolds was pressurised into giving the all-clear too early after the last outbreak.
But shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said the matter "does raise further questions about why the government felt able to declare that foot-and-mouth disease had been 'eradicated'. This was clearly a tragic misjudgement".But shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said the matter "does raise further questions about why the government felt able to declare that foot-and-mouth disease had been 'eradicated'. This was clearly a tragic misjudgement".
The European Commission has banned all live animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth from being exported from Britain. Northern Ireland is exempt from the ban, and can export freely.The European Commission has banned all live animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth from being exported from Britain. Northern Ireland is exempt from the ban, and can export freely.
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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