Second farm disease case

Britain's farmers were dealt a fresh blow today when tests confirmed foot and mouth disease at a second farm in Surrey.The farm, near Egham, Surrey, where animals were slaughtered yesterday on suspicion of having the disease, is adjacent to the first infected premises, a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

The National Farmers' Union today said the industry was losing nearly £10 million a day due to restrictions imposed because of the outbreak.

The second cull of animals took place yesterday on Stroude Farm, owned by Ernest Ward. It comes after a herd belonging to Robert Lawrence, who owns Hardwick Park Farm, was found to be infected nearby.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski today wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons calling for an emergency sitting of Parliament. He said: "I think the situation is so critical that I have asked for an emergency debate.

"I've had many farmers calling me to tell me this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back."

The Prince of Wales described the latest outbreak as "a combination of horror and huge blows" for farmers. He said: "For all the poor farmers, particularly the livestock ones, it's a complete nightmare to have another outbreak and everything brought to a grinding halt."

It came as Gordon Brown met farmers affected by the outbreak at the National Farmers' Union headquarters in central London.

Mr Brown chaired a meeting of the Cabinet's emergency Cobra committee this morning and, following his meeting with farmers, will have further talks with Defra officials. Farmers are desperate for restrictions to be relaxed because the latest outbreak has coincided with a key time in the livestock industry when animals go to market.

The NFU said it was hoping farmers in some of England would soon be allowed to take animals to slaughter, following a move in Scotland and Wales. About 150 cattle sold at Market Drayton Livestock Market were forced to remain on site for 24 hours after they were sold on Wednesday due to movement restrictions.

Animal movement restrictions in Wales were relaxed at midnight after an Assembly Government announcement following the latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease in south-east England.

It means that Welsh farmers will be able to transport their animals directly for slaughter at abattoirs in Wales - but the ban on vital autumn sheep sales is to remain in effect.

Scotland has also relaxed movement restrictions and pressure is mounting on the Government for similar action to be taken in areas of England.