Wild pigs may face army guns

Soldiers could be used to cull wild animals as British Government officials continue to combat the foot and mouth outbreak.

Discussions have begun with the Army over the use of troops to cull wild pigs in East Anglia.

The new move to contain the disease comes from Britain's chief veterinary officer, Jim Scudamore.

He says the country is in the throes of a major outbreak as 19 more cases were confirmed, including the first outbreak in the west Midlands.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown says the total number of cases has risen to 183 and revealed that up to 500,000 sheep due to start lambing could face slaughter.

The animals, currently being kept in winter quarters, will need to be moved for welfare reasons and to free space for cattle during the spring. But transporting them to other farms could create an unacceptable risk of infecting other sites, he said.

A MAFF spokesman said: "There is a possibility that the army may be able to help us should we decide to go after the very small population of feral pigs in East Anglia.

"The action would be very limited and, at present, we are only looking at the feasibility."

Mr Brown insists the Army has only been contacted as a contingency plan. He said he hopes to avoid a mass cull of sheep but no one knew the depths the crisis would reach.

"It should not be necessary but I have an obligation to consider all alternatives," the minister said.

Police marksmen as well as soldiers could be called in if a mass cull of pigs was necessary, according to Mr Brown.