Rural Community Gateway

Updated 13 September 11am

A new case of Foot and Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Surrey. The news comes just days after the area was declared free from the disease following an outbreak in August.

A national movement ban of cattle, sheep, pigs and other susceptible animals is now in place in Scotland. This means that movement of susceptible animals is not permitted, except when under licence. Similar arrangements have been made in England and Wales. Animal-related events such as planned livestock sales have been cancelled as a result.

The islands remain free of restrictions in terms of inter-island movement, but there can be no movement between islands and the mainland, except to slaughter. You can find more information about the ban, licences, and what is permitted on the Scottish Government website.

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has been set up around the affected area, near Egham in Surrey. The affected farm is around 10 miles from the animal research site at Pirbright, where a leaking pipe was blamed for the August outbreak.

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds confirmed the new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease on the basis of initial laboratory results and clinical symptoms.

Debby Reynolds said, "At this stage we have not identified the strain or origin of this outbreak. The situation remains uncertain, and I urge all animal keepers to be vigilant for signs of the disease, practice stringent biosecurity measures, including the movement ban and licensing conditions."

Speaking to BBC News 24, Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union said it was a "disaster" for British agriculture and the industry "will be absolutely devastated" by the news.

Gut wrenching blow for industry says Lochhead

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said the ban was imposed as a precautionary measure to safeguard the long-term viability of the meat industry. The ban is subject to daily review.

He told MSPs in Parliament, "This development comes only days after we were able to lift the few remaining movement restrictions which were implemented following the previous outbreak in August.

"Today's confirmation is a gut wrenching body blow for the Scottish livestock industry and the red meat sector. I and my officials will be doing everything we can to support the industry during this devastating time."

You can find further information, and keep up with developments, on the Scottish Government website and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website. You can also call the Scottish Government Food and Mouth Disease Helpline on 0845 155 33 66.

New foot-and-mouth case confirmed BBC News website

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