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| 'Probable' new farm disease leak | 'Probable' new farm disease leak |
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| A "probable" new leak of the foot-and-mouth virus has been reported from an animal health facility in Surrey, the government has said. | A "probable" new leak of the foot-and-mouth virus has been reported from an animal health facility in Surrey, the government has said. |
| In a written statement, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said investigators were sent to the Merial laboratory at Pirbright. | In a written statement, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said investigators were sent to the Merial laboratory at Pirbright. |
| Mr Benn added that inspectors were assured that the virus was not released into the environment. | Mr Benn added that inspectors were assured that the virus was not released into the environment. |
| The virus is understood to have escaped through a leaking valve last week. | The virus is understood to have escaped through a leaking valve last week. |
| Merial shares the Pirbright site with the government's Institute for Animal Health. | Merial shares the Pirbright site with the government's Institute for Animal Health. |
| Both facilities formed the focus for investigations into the previous foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey in August. | Both facilities formed the focus for investigations into the previous foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey in August. |
| Investigations into the source of the virus, carried out by the Health and Safety Executive and Imperial College concluded leaking drains, heavy rain and building work at Pirbright were to blame. | |
| However, the HSE was unable to say which of the two laboratories was at fault for releasing the virus. |