Mass slaughter of sheep ordered to halt disease spread

A big expansion of the slaughter programme to try to combat the spread of foot-and-mouth has been announced by the British Government.

Britain's Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has told the Commons that sheep which may have come into contact with infected animals are to be destroyed as a precautionary measure.

He described it as a policy of safety first as the toll of confirmed outbreaks has risen to 240.

He said: "We are intensifying the slaughter of animals at risk in the areas of the country - thankfully still limited - where the disease has spread."

Providing other areas remain disease-free, he says the Government hope over the next week to 10 days to relax restrictions in areas that still remain free from the disease.

Up to 100,000 sheep which may have come into contact with diseased animals, but had not yet developed the disease, are understood to be involved in the expanded slaughter programme.

In a statement to MPs, Mr Brown said it would be necessary to destroy animals within the three kilometre zones set up to control the spread of the disease from infected farms in the north of England and southern Scotland.

Sheep from the markets in Welshpool, Northampton and Longtown, near Carlisle, which were exposed to foot-and-mouth would also have to be destroyed.

He said: "The same approach will be taken to sheep handled during the high risk period by two major dealers who have been associated with movements of infected sheep."

In Devon, where foot-and-mouth has been spreading from farm to farm, a new strategy of intensive patrols to all farms within the three kilometre zone of an infected farm will begin.

Mr Brown added: "Each farm will be visited and inspected by veterinary or trained lay staff to ensure that cases of foot-and-mouth are identified as soon as possible to prevent onward spread."