Tests for cattle disease negative

It was the first time the disease has been seen in England for 10 years

Test results on several farms in Cornwall indicate the county is clear of the disease brucellosis.

Last week's outbreak at Landare Farm at Duloe, near Liskeard, was the first case in England for a decade.

All 124 cattle at the farm were culled and vets started tests on nine other farms.

Results from seven farms proved negative and government officials say they are "cautiously optimistic" the other two will also be negative.

The samples taken by the government vets were sent to a laboratory in Surrey.

The remaining results are expected on Friday or next or Monday.

The National Farmers' Union said a key question was how the disease got to Cornwall.

It has asked farmers to remain vigilant, particularly for abortions among animals.

Movement restrictions

The disease causes cattle to miscarry and in humans causes undulant fever, which can have flu-like symptoms.

It was first spotted on 17 March on Gerald and Clive Mitchell's farm at Duloe.

The disease was confirmed the following day after a number of cows on the farm were said to have miscarried.

Movement restrictions were put in place and cattle on surrounding farms were tested.