Commenting on the news that Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds has confirmed an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease at a farm in Surrey, Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said:
“Confirmation of a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey is both depressing and alarming.
“It is inexcusable, that the Government delayed implementing a national ban on livestock movements for several hours. A ban should have been introduced on a precautionary basis anyway; it is essential that no risks are taken when it comes to dealing with this disease.”
He added:
“Today's news also begs the question of why the Government’s Chief Vet felt able to say a few days ago that she was "satisfied that Foot and Mouth Disease has been eradicated from Surrey".
“It would be extraordinary if the present problem was not related to the outbreak at Pirbright which, we now know, was almost certainly caused by negligent maintenance at a laboratory site licensed and regulated by the Government.
"The Government's shameful role in the causes of the original outbreak was bad enough; now it seems possible that, in their eagerness to put the issue behind them, they relaxed security measures too early. I fear that farmers may pay a heavy price for the Government's complacency.”
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