Farms' relief as slaughter rules relaxed

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Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said: "From midnight, movement of animals to slaughter will be allowed under strict biosecurity rules."

The move applies only to animals outside the 6.2-mile surveillance zone around the two infected farms in Surrey.

More than 940 cattle and pigs have been culled at Stroude Farm and Hardwick Court Farm, near Egham.

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Hold still: A Defra vet checks for signs of the disease on a Surrey farm

Pigs on a third farm close by will also be culled as a precautionary measure.

Last night the National Farmers' Union welcomed the Government's decision as a relief to stricken farmers.

Foot- and- mouth is already estimated to have cost the industry £80million.

This is a key period for farmers, who usually take their animals to market over the next few weeks in preparation for the breeding season.

Losses here could add up to £1.5million a day.

But concerns remain that earlier restrictions, after the first outbreak on August 3, were lifted too soon --leading to the second infection.

The first was blamed on nearby Pirbright laboratories, home to the Institute of Animal Health, where a broken drain is thought to have let the virus escape.

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Mystery outbreak: Scientists are puzzled at how the latest outbreak came just days after giving the all clear from the previous foot and mouth strain

Tests showed the latest outbreaks involve the same strain.

Last night a spokesman for the Department of Environment and Rural Affairs said the drain had been repaired but there were "no plans to close the laboratories".

Farmers say the latest outbreak is much worse than last month's because it comes at the time when they need to move animals to market.

Hugh Broom, vice-chairman of the Surrey NFU, said: "It was a kick in the teeth last Wednesday when we were told about another outbreak.

"Restrictions are necessary if we're going to get on top of the disease but it is a very anxious time."

There are also fears that the loss of exports of meat and dairy products - worth £14million a week and banned under EU law until October 15 - will kill confidence in UK meat.

Representatives from the EU's Food and Veterinary Office are due in London tomorrow to evaluate measures taken in response to the recent outbreaks.