Animals Culled on Third Farm Didn't have FMD

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Monday, 13 August 2007

Livestock culled on Hunts Hill farm this week did not have foot and mouth disease, Defra has confirmed.

Tests have shown today that the 362 cows, sheep, pigs and goats slaughtered on Wednesday after showing initial symptoms of foot and mouth were not carrying the virus.

The Hunts Hill farm, owned by the Emerson family, was the third farm suspected to have been contaminated within the protection zone in Surrey.

Meantime the farmer at the centre of the latest suspected outbreak of foot and mouth in Surrey has played down fears that his cattle are infected with the virus.

Laurence Matthews, from Wotton, near Dorking, said he is "absolutely sure" that the disease is not present at his farm.