Human foot-and-mouth fears fade

Some animal movement restrictions have been lifted

Fears over the human form of foot-and-mouth disease are diminishing after 13 people suspected of having the illness were given the all-clear.

A spokesman for the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) said tests on all 13 had proved negative, but added that two more people suspected of contracting the disease were being tested.

If it isn't foot-and-mouth, what is it?

Slaughterman Paul Stamper

The test results followed the news that the government had lifted foot-and-mouth infected area restrictions in the south west.

Farmers on 1,300 farms in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall will now be able take animals to any slaughterhouse within four-and-a-half hours' uninterrupted travel.

Vets will no longer have to inspect the animals before movement, but the farms must still obey controlled area restrictions covering the whole country.

The PHLS spokesman said on Saturday it was "very unlikely" that the people who had tested negative for foot-and-mouth would have the disease.

But follow-up blood tests are needed to check for viral antibodies and confirm the initial results.

'Cover-up'

One of those cleared was 33-year-old Cumbrian farm worker Paul Stamper, whose face was splashed with fluid from a cattle carcass.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown said: "I am delighted he has been given the all clear, otherwise this could have had serious implications for his future employment."

But Mr Stamper has reportedly accused the government of a cover-up, insisting the tests were inconclusive.

"If it isn't foot-and-mouth - and it seems an incredible coincidence if it's not - what is it, why can't they tell me?

Foot-and-mouth facts

Total number of confirmed foot-and-mouth cases in the UK 1,512 - 13 on Saturday

2,204,000 animals have been slaughtered

145,000 animals awaiting slaughter

"There's too many people with blisters in their mouths out there," he told the Daily Mail.

The PHLS spokesman said one of those tested had contracted a human enterovirus, which has similar symptoms to foot-and-mouth.

"Others haven't been found to have other viruses, but haven't got foot-and-mouth either," he said.

Other human infections could cause symptoms similar to foot-and-mouth, such as hand foot-and-mouth.

"This is a human disease that sounds like it is the same thing, but it's a completely different condition with similar symptoms.

"It is relatively common, particularly in young children," he said, adding that cold sores or skin rashes could also cause similar symptoms.

Mr Brown reportedly sees a 'strong case' for reforming Maff

Officials in Wales are organising the removal of 1,500 sheep carcasses buried at a site in Welshpool, after blood began seeping to the surface.

The Welsh Assembly has said the carcasses at Buttington Hall would be removed and disposed of elsewhere to avoid any contamination of water courses in the area.

Rural revolution

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Nick Brown is reported to have called for a revolution in the countryside, with farmers paid to be guardians of the rural environment.

He also joined calls for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Maff) to be replaced by a rural affairs department.

"I do think there's a very strong case for the rural affairs model, although that's obviously a question for the prime minister," he told The Daily Telegraph.

He said the days when farmers could be expected "to protect the environment for the good of everyone - but not to earn any money for doing that - were over".

Farmers could be paid for maintaining the traditional landscape, by planting hedges or building dry stone walls, he said.

The Liberal Democrats have already called for the replacement of Maff with a rural department similar to the one established in Scotland after devolution.

But Prime Minister Tony Blair has dismissed reports that he planned to abolish Maff as "nonsense".