Farmers' fears as disease spreads

Youngsters at this nursery had to take precautions

Britain's farmers are fearing the worst as efforts continue to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

As five new outbreaks were identified on Monday, hopes of stopping the crisis in its tracks were fading.

Several European countries have introduced emergency measures to prevent the disease hitting their livestock.

But UK shoppers have been urged not to panic-buy meat, with the major supermarkets saying they have sufficient supplies to last until the end of the week at least.

The total number of confirmed cases of the disease now stands at 12 in Essex, Devon, Wiltshire, Herefordshire and Northumberland.

Carcasses destroyed

The mass burning of carcasses has continued amid fears that a seven-day ban on animal movements has failed to contain the disease.

Speaking after a crisis meeting with farming leaders in Downing Street, Prime Minister Tony Blair described the situation as "extremely serious".

"We have simply got to wait and see how widespread this disease is," he said.

"Whatever is needed to tackle and eradicate it, those steps we will take.

"We will do everything we possibly can first of all to eradicate the disease and then to make sure farmers are properly compensated. This is a terrible worry for them."

Europe takes action

Netherlands: 3,000 animals killed at farms with UK links. Livestock markets closed for a week

Belgium: Nine livestock markets banned for a week. All UK animal transporters must be disinfected.

France: Authorities have tracked down 47,000 animals imported from UK for tests

Germany: Tests ordered on all UK animals

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Nick Brown told the House of Commons: "Absolutely no stone will be left unturned in suppressing foot-and-mouth disease."

He said the government was calling on private vets for help in the "huge task of tracing and controlling the disease".

National Farmers' Union leader Ben Gill, who met with the prime minister, said Mr Blair had promised "whatever resources were necessary" to fight the spread of the disease.

"The most crucial thing is that farmers across the country must be extra vigilant during this period," he said.

He also repeated his appeal for people to stay out of the countryside.

"I know it is an inconvenience but we really would appreciate it if the general public would stay at home for the time being."

Click here to see map of confirmed cases.

Hundreds of square miles of Dartmoor have been closed to the public in an effort to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth.

Dartmoor National Park Authority is invoking legal powers to ban people on foot from the moorland but roads are still open.

The slaughter count

1,800 cattle

1,600 pigs

3,500 sheep

Of the five new cases of foot-and-mouth disease confirmed on Monday, two were at farms in Devon - at Hatherleigh and Okehampton.

Another case was confirmed in Llancloudy, Herefordshire, one at Westerhope in Northumberland and the fifth at an abattoir in Bramham, west Wiltshire.

Chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore said the Devon and Wiltshire cases were linked to an outbreak at an exporting farm in Highampton, Devon, sparking fears the disease could spread to Europe.

The number of animals slaughtered or due for slaughter is now about 7,000.

The Countryside Alliance has postponed its rural protest rally in London planned for March 18 until at least early May to prevent any chance of spreading the disease.

The outbreaks have also forced scores of organisations to cancel meetings and some schools to close on Monday for fear of spreading the disease.

Hunting has been suspended, several zoos closed their doors and three royal parks in London - Richmond Park, Bushy Park and Hampton Court Park - have been shut to the general public from midnight on Sunday to protect deer herds.

A number of farms in Germany have been quarantined after UK livestock was found there, and some newly-imported British animals have been slaughtered in the Netherlands.

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