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/7021147.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Foot-and-mouth confirmed at farm Foot-and-mouth confirmed at farm
(about 2 hours later)
Foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at a farm in Surrey where cattle were slaughtered on suspicion of being infected.Foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at a farm in Surrey where cattle were slaughtered on suspicion of being infected.
The government confirmed tests on cattle at the farm near Wraysbury had come back positive.The government confirmed tests on cattle at the farm near Wraysbury had come back positive.
The farm is within the current protection zone around previously infected farms and minor changes are now being made to the zone.The farm is within the current protection zone around previously infected farms and minor changes are now being made to the zone.
It is the eighth farm in Surrey found to have the disease since August.It is the eighth farm in Surrey found to have the disease since August.
'Vigilance vital''Vigilance vital'
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said cattle would now be culled at four premises surrounding the affected farm as a precaution.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said cattle would now be culled at four premises surrounding the affected farm as a precaution.
A statement said: "This action is regrettable but necessary in order to eradicate disease in this area as quickly as possible.A statement said: "This action is regrettable but necessary in order to eradicate disease in this area as quickly as possible.
"The programme of intense surveillance and blood testing, through which the case at Wraysbury was detected, will continue in this area."The programme of intense surveillance and blood testing, through which the case at Wraysbury was detected, will continue in this area.
"It remains vital that animal keepers are vigilant for any signs of disease and continue to check animals twice a day.""It remains vital that animal keepers are vigilant for any signs of disease and continue to check animals twice a day."
'£250m cost'
National Farmers' Union (NFU) spokesman Anthony Gibson said the new outbreak would have severe financial implications.
"The longer we keep getting these outbreaks, the longer it will take to get the export ban lifted. And that's costing at least £2m a day.
"Since the foot-and-mouth outbreak was confirmed in August, we think the total cost to the farming industry is around £250m. That's in terms of lost exports and lower meat prices.
"I think the vets are going to have to do some intensive surveillance of cattle in that area because we really must knock the virus on the head as quickly as we can."
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth began in August when two farms in Surrey were found to have the disease.The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth began in August when two farms in Surrey were found to have the disease.
Leaking pipes at the nearby Pirbright laboratory site were blamed as the source of the outbreak.Leaking pipes at the nearby Pirbright laboratory site were blamed as the source of the outbreak.
Restrictions 'to be eased'Restrictions 'to be eased'
Just days after the government declared the UK free of the disease it emerged again in farms near Egham in Surrey.Just days after the government declared the UK free of the disease it emerged again in farms near Egham in Surrey.
Six new cases have now emerged. A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone is in place around the farms.Six new cases have now emerged. A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone is in place around the farms.
The government has said restrictions on moving livestock to markets in areas classed as being low-risk for foot-and-mouth are to be eased next week.The government has said restrictions on moving livestock to markets in areas classed as being low-risk for foot-and-mouth are to be eased next week.
Farmers in England and Wales will be able to move their livestock from Thursday 4 October as long as the situation does not change.Farmers in England and Wales will be able to move their livestock from Thursday 4 October as long as the situation does not change.
In Scotland, slaughter markets will resume on Monday, but it is not known when livestock markets will resume.In Scotland, slaughter markets will resume on Monday, but it is not known when livestock markets will resume.