New suspected foot and mouth site

Last week the Chief Veterinary officer said she was satisfied foot and mouth has been eradicated from the UK. The remaining restrictions on the movement of animals were lifted four days ago. But now this - another suspected case of foot and mouth in Surrey, about 30 miles away from the animal testing labs that were the source of the first original outbreak.

At the beginning of August a farm near the Pirbright labs was declared infected with the disease. Now the government has imposed a new temporary control zone - around a farm in Stroude Road, Egham. Again - there'll be movement restrictions in the zone and animals will be tested.

There have, of course, been false alarms before. Suspected cases were reported at Chessington World of Adventures and Romney Marsh, both came to nothing.

The Prime Minister was told of the latest suspected outbreak this morning during a visit to Leicester. He didn't immediately break off that visit. But he will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee - this afternoon.

The European Commission had lifted the ban on the export of British beef yesterday - confident that the disease was fully contained. Now that decision has been suspended.

Defra has stressed this case has not been confirmed. But animals are being slaughtered as a precautionary measure.

The Health and Safety Executive say they are standing by - ready to investigate how the disease may have travelled 30 miles north.

The key question being - did it happen before the original movement restrictions were in place a month ago - or since the security measures have been eased?

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