Foot and mouth shows need for tougher measures

2.38.36pm GMT Thu 13th Sep 2007

Commenting on the news that the Foot and Mouth outbreak near Egham is likely to be the same strain as the outbreak in August, Liberal Democrat shadow Environment Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Chris Huhne said:

"If it is confirmed that this is the same strain as the summer incidents, it suggests either a new lapse of bio-security at Pirbright or inadequate control measures around the last outbreak in August.

"Hilary Benn and Defra need to ensure that every possible measure is now taken to avoid the spread of the disease and to be certain that there are no further problems at Pirbright. It is appalling to contemplate even the possibility that the facility designed to protect farmers from foot and mouth has caused it.

"There should be a vehicle movement ban in and out of Pirbright until the cause is identified again, and this time the surveillance and control zones should remain in place for longer reflecting the possibility that the virus can survive in water and soil for longer.

"The national movement ban makes sense as a precautionary move now, even though it is heart-rending that so many farmers miles from Surrey are being hit at a time when they normally send animals to market. This could not come at a worse time."