Disease panic strikes again
Britain's farming industry was holding its breath once more today after a suspected case of foot and mouth was discovered outside the original surveillance zone. Britain's farming industry was holding its breath once more today after a suspected case of foot and mouth was discovered outside the original surveillance zone. A 3km temporary control cordon has been set up around the 200-acre farm in Dorking, Surrey, after an "inconclusive assessment" of symptoms in cattle. Although farmer Laurence Matthews is confident his 800-strong herd does not have the disease, the tests have caused panic. David Collier, regional director of NFU West Midlands based in Telford, said the industry was keeping its fingers crossed. He said: "A repeat of the 2001 outbreak is the last thing anyone wants." Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Although farmer Laurence Matthews is confident his 800-strong herd does not have the disease, the tests have caused panic.
Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said the new zone is close to the two confirmed cases of the disease.
She explained: "This is a developing disease situation. The containment and eradication of foot and mouth disease remains our priority. This is why we have moved swiftly to put in place a temporary control zone while we investigate this development.
"At this stage disease has not been confirmed, laboratory results will follow."
The results of the lab tests are expected later today.
David Collier, regional director of NFU West Midlands based in Telford, said the industry was keeping its fingers crossed.
He said: "A repeat of the 2001 outbreak is the last thing anyone wants. Our members in Shropshire have been pretty calm about the whole thing so far.
"Obviously they have been worried about the possible spread across the country and they have inevitably been anxious about the restrictions on movement of stock.
"Everyone is pleased with the relaxation on stock movement to slaughter because it means the meat industry can get back to something resembling normality. We just have to hope Mr Matthews' assessment of his livestock is correct."
The latest scare comes as a scientist helping to investigate the cause of the outbreak suggested the infections may have been caused deliberately.
Dr Andrew King, employed by the Institute for Animal Health to establish if the virus could have escaped from the Pirbright research facility, said the incident was a matter for the police.
By Rural Affairs Correspondent Nathan Rous
