Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
I am extremely sorry to hear of the death of Professor Fred Brown OBE.

A world expert on FMD, Professor Brown was working on research at Plum Island in the USA when he was contacted by Alicia Eyken early in 2001, when she requested his advice concerning the diagnosis and control of FMD.

His response and willingness to advise us all was immediate and sincere. Having been asked by the manufacturers in the USA to test their Smart Cycler Diagnostic (PCR) machine, Professor Brown flew to the UK to help us. He knew this machine would enable 'pen-side' testing for a rapid confirmation of disease and so might have been useful during 2001. Sadly, this was not possible as the machine was not validated nor were there enough machines available for deployment if it had been validated during the crisis.

However, Professor Brown also knew the disease could be rapidly controlled with vaccination and spoke to Members of Parliament at Westminster and vets in Bristol at meetings organised by Alicia. Also travelling to Cumbria with Alicia and Drs. Sutmoeller and Barteling to speak to farmers there and explain the benefits of vaccination and the PCR machine.

He patience was endless and his gentle manner and sense of humour a delight. He will be sadly missed but many of us will never forget his great kindness and compassion and will always be grateful for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with us.

I'm sure many of you would join me in sending our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.

Jane