Britain's chief vet confirmed a new case of foot anmples taken this morning from the cattle on the holding in Surrey where disease was suspected have indicated the presence of foot and mouth disease," the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in a statement.
"On the basis of these initial laboratory results and clinical symptoms, UK chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds has confirmed foot and mouth disease." Officials have subsequently introduced a ban on the movement of cattle, sheep pigs and other ruminants in England. "At this stage we have not identified the strain or origin of this outbreak," Reynolds said. "The situation remains uncertain, and I urge all animal keepers to be vigilant for signs of disease, practise stringent biosecurity measures, including the movement ban and licensing conditions.
"All animals currently in transit should continue to their destination where they should remain in place." The European Commission has been informed. A European expert close to the case has told AFP that the European Union would reimpose a total ban on meat and livestock from Britain if the case was confirmed. Arrangements are being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations to match England's livestock movement ban.
No movements of susceptible animals are allowed except under licence. The affected farm comprises a number of separate parcels of land. A three-kilometre (two-mile) protection zone will encircle each of them, in a wider 10-kilometre surveillance zone. Footpaths will be closed in the protection zone. The farm is near the town of Egham, west of London, and the M25 London orbital motorway. Egham is 13 miles from the village of Normandy, where foot and mouth disease was confirmed on August 3. Both are in the county of Surrey.