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Kent farm clear of foot-and-mouth Control zones around farms lifted
(about 1 hour later)
Tests on cattle at a farm in Kent have conclusively shown the animals do not have foot-and-mouth, Defra has said. Two temporary control zones imposed in Kent and Surrey after foot-and-mouth scares have been lifted.
The tests were carried out on suspect animals at the farm in Romney Marsh. Tests on cattle at a farm in Romney Marsh, Kent have conclusively shown the animals do not have foot-and-mouth.
Initial tests carried out on suspect animals at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey have also proved to be negative. Defra said initial tests on animals at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey had also proved negative.
A south Wales meat plant was given the all-clear after a sheep that was giving cause for concern was assessed by vets, the Welsh Assembly said.A south Wales meat plant was given the all-clear after a sheep that was giving cause for concern was assessed by vets, the Welsh Assembly said.
'Precautionary measure''Precautionary measure'
Foot-and-mouth has been confirmed at two farms in a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone in Surrey, and two further farms in the county have been found clear of the disease.Foot-and-mouth has been confirmed at two farms in a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone in Surrey, and two further farms in the county have been found clear of the disease.
Two 3km (1.9 mile) control zones were set up around the Surrey theme park and the farm in Kent. Both are still in place.
See map of suspected casesSee map of suspected cases
Three cattle at Honeychild Manor Farm in the village of St Mary in the Marsh, Romney Marsh, were tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease in the first suspected case outside Surrey.Three cattle at Honeychild Manor Farm in the village of St Mary in the Marsh, Romney Marsh, were tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease in the first suspected case outside Surrey.
Farmer Steven Furnival, who runs the farm of 300 dairy cows in Kent, said he had noticed some calves with unusual lesions on the muzzles of their mouths.Farmer Steven Furnival, who runs the farm of 300 dairy cows in Kent, said he had noticed some calves with unusual lesions on the muzzles of their mouths.
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 or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emerge Source: Defra Q&A: Foot-and-mouthHOW 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 or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emerge Source: Defra Q&A: Foot-and-mouth
Speaking on Wednesday night, Mr Furnival told the BBC the control zone around his farm would be lifted in the next two hours.
Chessington World of Adventures, which incorporates Chessington Zoo, said it had called in vets and alerted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following concerns over one of its sheep.Chessington World of Adventures, which incorporates Chessington Zoo, said it had called in vets and alerted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following concerns over one of its sheep.
A spokeswoman said: "As a precautionary measure and because of the high state of alert currently in place due to the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, it was decided to immediately check all our cloven hoof stock for any signs of disease and do necessary tests."A spokeswoman said: "As a precautionary measure and because of the high state of alert currently in place due to the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, it was decided to immediately check all our cloven hoof stock for any signs of disease and do necessary tests."
"There is no reason to suspect that anything but a full clearance will be received from Defra."
The Children's Zoo and Creature Features attractions are closed to the public, but the rest of the park and zoo remain open.The Children's Zoo and Creature Features attractions are closed to the public, but the rest of the park and zoo remain open.
UK chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds stressed the Surrey results were still preliminary ones.
'Very low risk''Very low risk'
Meanwhile, A sheep was assessed at the St Merryn meat plant in Merthyr Tydfil. Meanwhile, a sheep was assessed at the St Merryn meat plant in Merthyr Tydfil.
Cattle were suspected of the disease in Romney Marsh, KentCattle were suspected of the disease in Romney Marsh, Kent
A Welsh Assembly government spokesperson said: "When anyone reports suspected disease, Animal Health vets will visit to make an assessment.A Welsh Assembly government spokesperson said: "When anyone reports suspected disease, Animal Health vets will visit to make an assessment.
"This has happened before, and this is what happened at St Merryn's in Merthyr.""This has happened before, and this is what happened at St Merryn's in Merthyr."
Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August. A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August. A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.
Tests on a third suspected case within the surveillance zone, where cattle were culled, proved negative, as did those on a fourth possible case outside the zone also in Surrey.Tests on a third suspected case within the surveillance zone, where cattle were culled, proved negative, as did those on a fourth possible case outside the zone also in Surrey.
The government is awaiting the results of independent tests on soil taken from the original outbreak site at the Pirbright laboratories.The government is awaiting the results of independent tests on soil taken from the original outbreak site at the Pirbright laboratories.
A review of biosecurity arrangements at Pirbright, led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, is also awaited.A review of biosecurity arrangements at Pirbright, led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, is also awaited.
Some restrictions on movement of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.Some restrictions on movement of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.
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