Foot and mouth outbreak confirmed

A spokesman for Defra said animals on a farm near Guildford in Surrey had tested positive for the disease.

He said: "Following an investigation of suspected vesicular disease by Animal Health on a holding near Guildford in Surrey, laboratory results have indicated that the foot and mouth disease virus is present in samples from cattle on the premises."

The spokesman said: "On the basis of initial laboratory results, Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, has confirmed foot and mouth disease."

In accordance with the legislation, all the cattle on the premises will be culled, he said.

A protection zone, three kilometres in radius, and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres has been placed around the premises.

A national movement ban of all ruminants and pigs has been imposed, Defra said.

A meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency contingencies committee has been held to discuss the outbreak, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown taking part by telephone from his holiday in Dorset.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Mr Brown will return on Saturday in order to chair another Cobra meeting at the Cabinet Office in the morning.

"Our top priority is to prevent the spread of this disease in order to protect farmers' stock," said the spokeswoman.