New cases as disease reaches Europe

Thousands of cattle are being killed and burnt

Six new UK outbreaks of foot-and-mouth have been confirmed, as the first signs of the disease are detected in Europe.

The new outbreaks include two in Powys, and others in Herefordshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire and Devon, bringing the total number across England and Wales to 24.

There are fresh fears that the disease may have crossed to Northern Ireland, after a farm in Meigh, in South Armagh, that imports from a Carlisle market was sealed off.

A farm in Germany is sealed off for investigation

In Germany officials confirmed that checks made on a consignment of sheep imported from the UK had revealed signs of the disease, although the latest tests for the disease had proved negative.

The animals were among 1,500 sheep imported from UK, which are now being slaughtered as a precaution.

Barbara Hoehn, the environment minister in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia where the farm in question is located, said: "This is our alarm signal."

Thousands of animals across northern Europe are to be slaughtered amid fears that the virus could hit the continent hard. France has already announced plans to destroy 20,000 sheep imported from the UK.

Click here to see map of confirmed cases

The national assembly for Wales confirmed new outbreaks at Paincastle near Hay on Wye and Felindre near Newtown, while Ministry of Agriculture officials later confirmed cases at Llangarron, south-west of Ross-on-Wye, in Herefordshire, and at an abattoir in Great Harwood, near Preston, Lancashire.

Emergency measures

Livestock movement ban extended

Horse racing suspended

Ireland v Wales rugby postponed

National parks closed

Access to Scottish Mountains suspended

Reservoir sites in Wales closed to public

Marwell Zoo closed

Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore said the situation was changing quickly, as further suspected outbreaks were investigated in areas as far apart as Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, and Lewdown, Devon.

The total number of animals that have been either slaughtered or are due to be destroyed in Britain is now believed to stand at 11,000, with 102 farms around the country under restrictions.

The government has extended the ban on livestock movement around the UK until at least 16 March to try to halt the spread of the disease.

On Tuesday night Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced a £170m rescue package for beef, sheep and dairy farmers, and a scheme to allow the movement of disease-free livestock to abattoirs under licence.

Meanwhile the Road Haulage Association has called for compensation to 500 firms involved in transporting livestock, saying the ban on the movement of livestock around the country is costing them more than £4m a week.

But Mr Brown said there would be no compensation for hauliers, abattoirs and food processing firms hit by the outbreak.

Pressure

But he did say he hoped the licensed movement of animals would help ease financial pressures on the industry.

With three confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth in Wales, Welsh Water have closed all reservoir sites to the public as a precaution.

The Snowdonia National Park has already closed car parks and is issuing 20,000 Keep Out signs to farmers to help keep walkers off their land.

Footpaths around Britain are being closed to the public

Access to Glencoe and Ben Nevis in Scotland has been suspended as part of continuing efforts to try to contain the spread.

But there are fears the move could have a devastating impact on Scotland's highland economy which generates about £30m per year.

Marwell Zoo in Winchester, one of the UK's leading conservation zoos, also closed its doors as a precaution in the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The decision was made after a suspected case of the disease was reported at Merryfield pig farm about 12 miles away and the zoo is expected to remain closed until at least 5 March.

Next week's Cruft's exhibition, however, is not at risk.

The disease is also taking its toll on sporting fixtures, with all horse-racing in England and Wales cancelled.

In addition, the rugby union match between Ireland and Wales in Cardiff has been cancelled due to fears that travelling supporters could carry back the infection.

Rugby chiefs are to meet on Friday to decide how to ensure the tournament is not ruined.

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