Unchecked drains 'led to foot and mouth'

Last month's foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey is now officially over and this morning, the Chief Vet announced all restrictions nationwide will be lifted as of tomorrow.

But at a press conference in London this morning, it was also confirmed that the laboratory complex charged with protecting us from foot and mouth was the source of the outbreak - and the government department responsible for foot and mouth control, was ultimately responsible.

Faulty pipes

Reports concluded it was the site's drains that were to blame.

Pipes from both the Merial and Insitute of Animal Health (IAH) labs takes effluent to a shared chemical treatment plant that neutralises virus.

Drainage pipes were not properly maintained or inspected even though they were known to need upgrading at least three years ago - pipes and manhole covers throughout the site were found to be cracked, leaking or damaged by tree roots.

The investigation focussed on one particular pipe which carries thousands of litres of effluent from Merial. Though partly treated, just a teaspoon of effluent entering into this pipe contains around 100 million virus particles.

Both parties at fault

The pipe's location, adjacent to the area where contractors were moving soil and vehicles on and off the site, makes it the most likely source of the outbreak.

However, an official report by the Health and Safety Executive found that arguments about who should pay for the work meant the pipe at the Pirbright site was never replaced.

Defra, the government department meant to protect the country against foot and mouth, found its inspectors under fire for not picking up problems with biosecurity at the site.

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