UK labelled 'leper of Europe'

Ireland has fought to keep foot-and-mouth at bay

An Irish Government minister has launched a bitter attack on the UK's handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis - describing Britain as the "leper of Europe".

Officials in London are insisting that the disease is under control, despite the confirmation of 25 new cases on Sunday - the biggest daily rise since the crisis began.

I think it's nothing short of a scandal - I believe myself that Britain have totally mishandled this

Irish minister Hugh Byrne

The Irish attack is the first break in European ranks since the outbreak began - until now, governments have backed the UK's policies.

In Germany, officials are waiting anxiously for the final results of tests on calves which have fallen ill on a farm in Lower Saxony with foot-and-mouth type symptoms.

Irish Natural Resources Minister Hugh Byrne said London's handling of the case was "nothing short of a scandal".

"I believe myself that Britain have totally mishandled this," he said.

"They seem to have been of the opinion that this disease was just going to go away - they seem to me and to many people in Ireland to have cared very little about the farmers in Britain and very little about their neighbours like ourselves."

Germany fears this farm may harbour its first foot-and-mouth case

Ireland has been desperate to keep foot-and-mouth at bay. Agriculture accounts for 10% of the country's Gross Domestic Product, against 1% in the UK

The disease has reached Northern Ireland, and there were fears that illegal sheep movements in border areas could have carried the virus into the republic.

In Germany, the 99 suspect calves found at Damme, Lower Saxony, are being slaughtered even before the final tests results are known.

Initial results have proved negative, but Lower Saxony's Agriculture Minister, Uwe Bartels, said there was a 50-50 chance of the illness being Germany's first case of foot-and-mouth.

UK-based attack

The approach of other European governments was praised in the UK by opposition agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo of the Conservative Party.

He said other European countries had taken tougher steps against the disease, and had kept it at bay.

Europe Union-wide regulations are now in force requiring the tyres of vehicles leaving the UK to be disinfected.

A ban on the export of meat and livestock, imposed by the EU early in the crisis, remains in force - and livestock markets across Europe have been halted.

Several countries, including Italy, France and Germany, have gone further and imposed tough restrictions or bans on the transport of all animals at risk.