12/09/2007 - Foot and Mouth Recurrence

12/09/2007 - Recurrence of Foot and Mouth Proves Show Right to Keep Cattle Away

Romsey Show's decision (prior to the show last weekend) not to have cloven hoofed animals at the show has been proved the correct one after a confirmed recurrence of the disease in Surrey.

Whilst I am sure many of us were disappointed not to have cattle at the Show, despite the movement restrictions having been lifted, it has been proved to be a very wise decision.

Caroline Nokes the Conservative prospective MP for Romsey commented:

"This recurrence of foot and mouth in the neighbouring County is very worrying.  It was only last week that the movement restrictions were lifted, and we had confirmation that the source of the outbreak was from drainage pipes at the Pirbright site.  This new outbreak calls into question whether the movement restrictions were lifted too soon. It is crucial that we get this latest outbreak under control as quickly as possible.  Foot and Mouth is a hammer blow to the farming industry, which has been hit very hard this year."

"All those with responsibility for bio-security at these labs must look very hard at improving measures to make sure there are no further lapses. It looks now as if the latest strain is the same as the one at the beginning of August, and therefore suspicion must centre around Pirbright again.  Those with links to the activities there should be demanding a thorough invstigation and drastic improvement in their bio-security."