Government under vaccine pressure

There is still much confusion over the issue of vaccination

Ministers are being urged to make a decision on whether to vaccinate against foot-and-mouth disease, despite continued opposition from many farmers.

The government's Cobra emergency management team is expected to agree by the end of the week to vaccinate around 500,000 cows before their return to pasture for the summer.

The government's chief scientific adviser, Professor David King said he expected an "imminent" decision on the issue, after trying to convince farmers in Cumbria on Monday.

Meanwhile travel chiefs from around the world are due to arrive in Britain on Tuesday to tour the countryside hit by foot-and-mouth disease.

As part of a four-day summit, organised by the British Tourist Authority, 40 leaders of international travel associations will be shown around the UK. The idea is to convince them Britain is safe and "open for business" despite the outbreak.

Crisis in the UK

Cases on Monday: 21

Total confirmed cases: 1,341

541,000 animals awaiting slaughter

400,000 carcasses awaiting disposal

Over the Easter period the English Tourism Council said many rural beauty spots had seen low visitor numbers as crowds of tourists headed for coastal areas.

In Northern Ireland a ban on the movement of all farm animals has been enforced, after a third case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed in the province.

The Northern Ireland executive is holding an emergency meeting at Stormont on Tuesday to discuss the crisis.

Vaccination implications

Ministers in London have discussed the practical implications of carrying out a limited vaccination programme, including the need to address a number of public health issues.

The Food Standards Agency advised that:

No raw milk from vaccinated cattle can be sold if it is not heat treated.

Meat from vaccinated cattle cannot be sold until 30 days after vaccination.

It can only be sold if it is heat treated, cross checked and transported in sealed containers.

But, with the number of cases now at 1,341, ministers remain cautious about whether a programme of immunisation would be the best course of action.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has said no decision will be taken until farmers have been consulted about vaccinating animals unaffected by the virus.

Many farmers are concerned vaccination is of limited effectiveness and would delay the return of Britain's "disease-free" status, necessary before meat and milk exports can be resumed.

Coastal towns were flooded with tourists over Easter

Shadow Agriculture Minister Tim Yeo MP said: "The longer the government dithers over vaccination, the more their failure to control foot-and-mouth disease is exposed.

"Having failed to carry out the slaughter policy effectively, ministers must now make clear without delay what the scientists recommend on vaccination."

"We will support new measures to control foot-and-mouth disease provided they are based upon sound science."

Export status

Prof King told BBC News 24 vaccination was not an alternative to the mass cull.

He said the programme was not likely to have any effect on the length of time it takes for Britain to regain its disease-free export status.

A third case has been confirmed in Northern Ireland

NFU president Ben Gill told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that leading experts still thought vaccination was not the answer and said he was still waiting for the government's response to 50 questions needed to assuage farmers' doubts.

The army has said it already has half a million doses of vaccine and has the resources to support vaccination if that path is chosen.