Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water... FMD again
Less than 48 hours after the all-clear was sounded, the movement restrictions are back, new control zones are in place and more cattle are being culled as I type.
This is the last thing that the UK farming industry needed. More foot and mouth.
And in Egham of all places?
Egham in Surrey, for those of you who don't know it, is pretty much the heart of leafy outer London commuter territory. I was quite surprised to learn that there are actually still farms in the area. I suspect (but I admit I dont know) that these are not significant commercial operations but hobby farms and smallholdings.
Initial lab tests have confirmed that the suspect herd was infected with foot and mouth. The strain has, I understand, yet to be confirmed. But obviously the likelihood is that it's the same one that escaped from the Pirbright site and triggered last month's outbreak 30km away.
We thought it was all over. It isn't now.
This is the last thing that the UK farming industry needed. More foot and mouth.
And in Egham of all places?
Egham in Surrey, for those of you who don't know it, is pretty much the heart of leafy outer London commuter territory. I was quite surprised to learn that there are actually still farms in the area. I suspect (but I admit I dont know) that these are not significant commercial operations but hobby farms and smallholdings.
Initial lab tests have confirmed that the suspect herd was infected with foot and mouth. The strain has, I understand, yet to be confirmed. But obviously the likelihood is that it's the same one that escaped from the Pirbright site and triggered last month's outbreak 30km away.
We thought it was all over. It isn't now.
posted by Helena Jensen at 12:51 PM
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