This message from Graham Brook, President of BCVA, issued at 5:00pm today.

Most of you will have heard on the news that a suspect case of Foot and Mouth was reported this morning in Surrey near Egham. Initially, a temporary restriction zone was placed around the premises and the cattle have been culled as suspects.

Defra have now announced (2.45pm) that this is now positive for Foot and Mouth and protection and surveillance zones are now in force around the premises and a nationwide movement ban has been put in place. The terms of any licences etc for the movement of dairy cattle for milking etc. are not yet available.

It is understood that the cattle affected are on rented grazing land and the tenant has a number of premises in the area.

Until the strain of Foot and Mouth virus is determined it is too early to start speculating how this new outbreak has occurred. It is hope that the identification of the strain will be determined tomorrow.

Animals in auction marts at present will be licensed out either to the purchaser’s premises or back to their premises of origin.

A second temporary restriction zone has also been put in place around a pig farm at Dereham in Norfolk.

A report case in Lanark auction mart (Scotland) is also being investigated but no restrictions are in place at present.

We would like to take this opportunity to emphasis that all vets need to maintain the highest bio-security whilst visiting farms and they need to ensure that their clients are being vigilant for symptoms of Foot and Mouth at all times and to report all suspect cases. Please emphasise to your farm clients the need for vigilance and bio-security.