'Draconian' controls imposed to curb foot-and-mouth

‘‘Draconian’’ new controls were today being imposed in Northumberland, Britain, to prevent further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

Two fresh cases in the past few days have led to fears of a new outbreak in the region, which has been virus-free for three months.

Farmers in Northumberland - where the original case of the disease was confirmed in February, more than six months ago - were said to be devastated by the latest blow to their hopes of recovery.

The two farmers were both said to have bought animals from Hexham market, raising the spectre that infected animals could also have been transferred to other farms.

Officials said yesterday that they would be using ‘‘draconian’’ measures to stamp out the disease in the area.

They will introduce ‘‘Blue Box’’ restrictions around the two farms.

The regulation, used to control a cluster of cases in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, last month, designates an area in which all animal movements are banned, apart from those licensed to be sent directly to slaughter.

But any resurgence of the disease at this time of the year is seen as a double blow as it is considered easier to kill off in summer, and thrives in cold, wet conditions.

National Farmers’ Union North East director Richard Ellison said the outbreaks were disappointing as movement restrictions were due to be lifted in the area within weeks.

‘‘Farmers here are very depressed, very nervous and fed up,’’ he said.

‘‘Northumberland was where the first outbreak was, so they have lived with it since February. This was a massive disappointment.’’

Britain's divisional veterinary manager Arthur Griffiths said: ‘‘These may seem to be draconian measures but our intention is to make sure this flare-up is as short-lived as possible.’’

John Bradbury, the regional operations manager for the Newcastle Disease Emergency Control Centre, said the second case was ‘‘a blow’’.

‘‘This second blow within 24 hours of the first new case being announced is devastating for the farmers in this part of Northumberland,’’ he said.

‘‘We are redoubling our efforts to ensure that we get on top of this new outbreak quickly in order to stop the spread of disease once again.’’

The latest case brings the total number of outbreaks to 1,972.

Mr Griffiths warned that the outbreaks will delay restrictions being lifted in Northumberland by several weeks.

There had been some restocking of Northumberland farms which had already had the disease, but it was not thought to have happened in the area of the new outbreaks, as it was previously disease-free.

Grouse shooting on moorland around the farms was considered to be unlikely to have spread the disease, as people in shooting parties and their vehicles were held to strict bio-security measures. Licences have now been rescinded in the area.