Brown pledges to wipe out FMD

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Speaking at 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency contingencies committee, also attended by chief vet Debby Reynolds, Mr Brown said that action was taken immediately foot-and-mouth was confirmed.

He said: "I can say that we will do everything in our power to get to the root cause. We are investigating a number of possible explanations. I don't think it is possible to say at this stage what was the cause of this particular outbreak, but I do say that, at all times, we will be absolutely vigilant."

He added: "At the very moment that foot and mouth was confirmed, the national ban was put in place.

"The culling has already started. The protection zone is already in place. The national ban on movement is already understood to be in all parts of Great Britain. Of course, we will continue the culling as and when it is necessary, so we can eradicate the disease.

"We are searching as a matter of immediacy for the possible causes of this and I will report as soon as possible to the public about what has happened."

Mr Brown urged farmers to co-operate with measures needed to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth.

He said: "I do understand it is a very difficult time for the farming community. I do understand that there will be worries...

"I do hope that people will join us in being vigilant and checking their herds and, at the same time, I think people will see that the Chief Veterinary Officer, with the advice she is given, is doing everything in her power to control and contain this disease."