British walkers ignoring bio-security measures

The British Ramblers Association today condemned those who have flouted biosecurity measures imposed to halt the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Kate Ashbrook, the association's chairwoman, said: "It is disappointing to hear that people are vandalising signs when co-operation is very much needed to eradicate this terrible disease.

"The RA accepts the necessary footpath closures that Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have made and welcomes the government's efforts to keep the wider countryside open."

She spoke out as authorities began an operation today to crack down on people ignoring biosecurity measures.

Three dedicated patrols of police and Trading Standards officials were monitoring the area currently affected, around Egham in Surrey.

Meanwhile police posted at roadblocks and cordons were told to be especially vigilant.

Anyone caught breaching restrictions risks arrest, a £5,000 (€7,230) fine and even six months in jail.

A 3km protection zone remains in place around farm premises at Egham where two herds have tested positive for the same strain of the disease which infected two other herds near Guildford in August.

No arrests have been made at the site of the latest outbreak. Two press photographers were arrested last month for allegedly breaching a protection area around the site of the original outbreak, at Normandy in Surrey, four miles from research laboratories in Pirbright where leaky pipes have been blamed for causing the outbreak.

The precautionary slaughter of more animals was expected to continue today after confirmation yesterday that cattle culled on a second farm had tested positive for the disease.

Scientists are trying to establish whether the disease has spread through animals, vehicle movements or environmental contamination.