Tests confirm second FMD outbreak

Chief vet Debby Reynolds said on Monday night that cattle on a second farm within the protection zone in Surrey were being culled on suspicion that they were carrying the disease.

Mr Benn told BBC Breakfast: "The chief veterinary officer will confirm shortly this morning that the tests that were done overnight on the samples taken from the animals culled does confirm foot-and-mouth."

It is not known if the source of the second outbreak was the first affected farm, near the village of Normandy, outside Guildford, or the research institute in nearby Pirbright that has been linked to the infections.

Mr Benn said the speed with which the second outbreak was identified showed measures to control the disease were working.

He said: "It shows that the arrangements that we have put in place in the protection and surveillance zones have worked to identify this further outbreak in view of this new development.

"It is a result of the visits that were paid by veterinary staff and vets to premises.

"They noticed (on Monday) clinical signs of foot-and-mouth in the animals. A swift decision was taken to cull them, the tests were done overnight.

"It is within the protection zone, and it shows the continuing need for vigilance."

It is not known if the source of the second outbreak was the first affected farm, near the village of Normandy, outside Guildford, or the research institute in nearby Pirbright that has been linked to the infections.