This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6936198.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Foot-and-mouth transfer is probed Foot-and-mouth transfer is probed
(40 minutes later)
Health inspectors are investigating the possibility that foot-and-mouth was transferred to a farm in Surrey by employees of a nearby research site.Health inspectors are investigating the possibility that foot-and-mouth was transferred to a farm in Surrey by employees of a nearby research site.
One line of inquiry is that workers at vaccine manufacturer Merial, at Pirbright, could have picked up the infection because of drainage problems.One line of inquiry is that workers at vaccine manufacturer Merial, at Pirbright, could have picked up the infection because of drainage problems.
Allotments near the farm where the outbreak began are also being investigated.Allotments near the farm where the outbreak began are also being investigated.
Merial said there was no evidence the virus was spread by humans.Merial said there was no evidence the virus was spread by humans.
Fallen stockFallen stock
The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday.The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday.
HOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal to animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people, vehicles or roads, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxed Send us your commentsHOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal to animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people, vehicles or roads, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emergeSource: Defra Scottish restrictions relaxed Send us your comments
A second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday, and a total of 214 animals have been culled since Saturday.A second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday, and a total of 214 animals have been culled since Saturday.
The movement of all livestock across Britain has been banned - although some restrictions have now been relaxed in Scotland. An estimated 110,000 farms are affected. On Monday, the European Commission formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.
However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is now considering licensing the movement of fallen stock - animals which die on farms - on a farm-by-farm basis. And the movement of all livestock across Britain has also been banned - although some restrictions have now been relaxed in Scotland. An estimated 110,000 farms are affected.
Defra said "all lines of inquiry" into the cause of the outbreak were being looked at. Traders at London's historic Smithfield Market said meat supplies at the market were already starting to dry up.
However, the government is expected to relax the movement ban to allow farmers in England and Wales outside the Surrey surveillance zone to take animals for slaughter.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is also considering licensing the movement of fallen stock - animals which die on farms - on a farm-by-farm basis.
See layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge ImageSee layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge Image
The move follows complaints from farmers that they were unable to dispose of dead livestock.
Defra said "all lines of inquiry" into the cause of the outbreak were being looked at.
The Health and Safety Executive says there is a "strong probability" the outbreak began at the Pirbright research site, home to Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health and only a few miles from the farms.The Health and Safety Executive says there is a "strong probability" the outbreak began at the Pirbright research site, home to Merial and the state-run Institute for Animal Health and only a few miles from the farms.
But it did not specify which of the two facilities was to blame.But it did not specify which of the two facilities was to blame.
The executive said there was a "negligible" risk the virus had been spread by the wind or flooding, but it could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".The executive said there was a "negligible" risk the virus had been spread by the wind or flooding, but it could have been the result of human movement or "accidental or deliberate transfer".
'Confidence' in processes
Vaccine manufacturer Merial had been involved in large scale production of the strain - about 10,000 litres - while the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) had been carrying out small scale experiments, it said.Vaccine manufacturer Merial had been involved in large scale production of the strain - about 10,000 litres - while the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) had been carrying out small scale experiments, it said.
Enlarge Image
It is understood investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use the nearby allotments.It is understood investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use the nearby allotments.
Enlarge Image
Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures.Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures.
It had not found any evidence the virus could have been transported out of the centre by humans, it said.It had not found any evidence the virus could have been transported out of the centre by humans, it said.
It added that it did not release water from the site.It added that it did not release water from the site.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he hoped a second report would be published on Wednesday.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he hoped a second report would be published on Wednesday.
The National Farmers' Union is considering legal action "if it turns out to be a commercial company that has been and can be shown to have been careless in any way" which could claim millions of pounds, president Peter Kendall says.The National Farmers' Union is considering legal action "if it turns out to be a commercial company that has been and can be shown to have been careless in any way" which could claim millions of pounds, president Peter Kendall says.
READ THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
EU veterinary and food safety experts will meet in Brussels later to formally assess the UK government's response to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.EU veterinary and food safety experts will meet in Brussels later to formally assess the UK government's response to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
READ THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The commission has already said it is satisfied the government is doing everything it can.The commission has already said it is satisfied the government is doing everything it can.
Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone have been closed.Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone have been closed.
But shadow minister for culture, media and sport, Tobias Ellwood, said this action had been taken too late and that he had wandered around on Tuesday at allotments near the outbreak site.But shadow minister for culture, media and sport, Tobias Ellwood, said this action had been taken too late and that he had wandered around on Tuesday at allotments near the outbreak site.
Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.