Originally from: Molly Maxwell
                        
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Originally from: "Ananova" <533...>
To: Molly Maxwell <...>
Subject: Minister visits foot-and-mouth emergency HQ – Ananova Alerting Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 02:51:10 GMT

The Food and Rural Affairs Minister is to visit the emergency disease control centre to meet vets and staff who are battling to stem the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak in Northumberland.

Since last Thursday there have been 13 outbreaks in the Allendale area of the county and a 400 square mile biosecurity zone has been imposed to halt the spread.

There have been no further outbreaks but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says it is too early to say whether it is again under control.

The first outbreak was at a farm between Hexham and Alston, and the other dozen have all been in the neighbouring area of Allendale.

Almost 18,000 animals, including almost 2,000 cattle and more than 15,000 sheep, have been or are waiting to be slaughtered since the resurgence of the disease in Northumberland.

The figure includes livestock on infected farms and those classed as contiguous contacts on neighbouring farms.

The outbreaks came more than three months after the last confirmed case in May and throughout the foot-and-mouth crisis the Allendale area had remained disease free.

Lord Whitty will speak to staff at the Emergency Disease Control Centre on the outskirts of Newcastle, but has been advised against visiting the affected area.

A spokesman for DEFRA said: "While at the centre Lord Whitty will discuss the current foot-and-mouth outbreak in Northumberland with vets and farmers' representatives.

"Following veterinary advice, Lord Whitty will not be visiting the infected area."

*Foot-and-mouth – All stories story sent by Ananova