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/6984917.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Final disease restrictions lifted Final disease restrictions lifted
(about 2 hours later)
The last restrictions imposed on livestock movement in the UK following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have now been lifted.The last restrictions imposed on livestock movement in the UK following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have now been lifted.
A surveillance zone around two infected Surrey farms was removed at 1200 BST.A surveillance zone around two infected Surrey farms was removed at 1200 BST.
It comes a day after an official report found that a leaking drain on the nearby Pirbright lab site was the likely source of contamination.It comes a day after an official report found that a leaking drain on the nearby Pirbright lab site was the likely source of contamination.
On Friday, chief vet Debby Reynolds said she was satisfied the country was free from foot-and-mouth. The government's chief vet Debby Reynolds has said she was satisfied the country was free from foot-and-mouth.
Foot-and-mouth was confirmed at two farms in a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone near Guildford at the start of August.Foot-and-mouth was confirmed at two farms in a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone near Guildford at the start of August.
Leaking drainsLeaking drains
The report found repairs had not been carried out at the Pirbright site, because staff at the government laboratory and the neighbouring one, owned by the Merial drugs company, could not agree who should pay for maintenance. Friday's report found repairs had not been carried out at the Pirbright site, because staff at the government laboratory and the neighbouring one, owned by the Merial drugs company, could not agree who should pay for maintenance.
At a news conference to announce the findings, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "What these reports do show is that the most likely explanation for this outbreak is a unique and unhappy combination of circumstances.At a news conference to announce the findings, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "What these reports do show is that the most likely explanation for this outbreak is a unique and unhappy combination of circumstances.
"The weaknesses in the drains, the heavy rain and floods, the building work taking place on the site, and the movement of vehicles.""The weaknesses in the drains, the heavy rain and floods, the building work taking place on the site, and the movement of vehicles."
Dr Reynolds said more than 8,000 samples from animals had been tested, and all the animals tested were healthy.Dr Reynolds said more than 8,000 samples from animals had been tested, and all the animals tested were healthy.
However, she said the earliest the UK could achieve international foot-and-mouth disease-free status would be 7 November.However, she said the earliest the UK could achieve international foot-and-mouth disease-free status would be 7 November.