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/7049122.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Two more bluetongue cases found Two more bluetongue cases found
(about 1 hour later)
Two new outbreaks of bluetongue disease have been confirmed, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has said.Two new outbreaks of bluetongue disease have been confirmed, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has said.
The cases, in Peterborough and at Ashford in Kent, follow previous outbreaks in East Anglia and Essex. The cases, in Peterborough and at Ashford in Kent, follow previous outbreaks in East Anglia.
Mr Benn said two new control zones would be brought in, and the protection zone already in place from Lincolnshire to East Sussex would be extended.Mr Benn said two new control zones would be brought in, and the protection zone already in place from Lincolnshire to East Sussex would be extended.
Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle.Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle.
It can also affect goats and deer.It can also affect goats and deer.
'Unwelcome news' 'Industry dilemma'
Mr Benn told the Commons the new cases were confirmed as a result of reporting by two farmers and were confirmed by tests.Mr Benn told the Commons the new cases were confirmed as a result of reporting by two farmers and were confirmed by tests.
Given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected Fred Landeg deputy chief veterinary officer Given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected Fred Landeg Deputy chief veterinary officer
He said: "We need to try and contain the disease in the east of England if possible.
"The issue is, at what point should we face up to declaring all of England a bluetongue control zone and accept living with the disease?
"This is a real dilemma for the industry. Above all it is the industry that has the greatest interest in making the right decision.
"That is why we will be having further discussions with the industry group on this in the light of today's development."
'Unwelcome news'
Defra said the latest cases were both within the current protection zone.Defra said the latest cases were both within the current protection zone.
Stricter 20km (12-mile) control zones had already been set up in East Anglia and Essex around known bluetongue cases Stricter 20km (12-mile) control zones had already been set up in East Anglia around known bluetongue cases
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "This is obviously unwelcome news for the farming industry. However, given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected.Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "This is obviously unwelcome news for the farming industry. However, given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected.
"We will carry out further investigations on these farms, and in the surrounding area to assess the disease situation and possible sources of incursion."We will carry out further investigations on these farms, and in the surrounding area to assess the disease situation and possible sources of incursion.
"Once again, we are grateful for the vigilance of farmers in reporting disease, and urge them to remain vigilant."Once again, we are grateful for the vigilance of farmers in reporting disease, and urge them to remain vigilant.
"We will continue to work with our core industry group to assess the disease situation and develop the disease control strategy in partnership with the farming industry.""We will continue to work with our core industry group to assess the disease situation and develop the disease control strategy in partnership with the farming industry."
The first bluetongue case was detected on 22 September. Restrictions lifted
Ashford's MP, Conservative Damian Green, said the "terrible outbreak" would affect farmers across the south-east who used the town's market.
He urged Mr Benn to give some indication of the time period during which the effects of the disease and the restrictions on the movement of animals would last.
Up to Tuesday a total of 41 bluetongue cases had been detected since the first outbreak on 22 September.
Meanwhile, bans on livestock movement in low-risk foot-and-mouth disease areas across the UK have now been lifted.
The disease protection zone in Surrey has also been removed after no further cases emerged, but a wider 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone around affected farms is expected to remain in place until 5 November.
The foot-and-mouth risk area - covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex - will also remain, but come under "continual review".