North-east farm source of disease?
23 February 2001
North-east farm source of disease?
By FWi staff
FOOT-AND-MOUTH disease has been confirmed on a Tyne-and-Wear farm – and it could be the source of the infection, says the Ministry of Agriculture.
The ministry believes the disease appears to have been present on the a pig farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall for some time.
A MAFF statement said: “It is feasible that this may be the source of the infection at the abattoir in Essex. Investigations are continuing.”
The farm had supplied pigs to the abattoir in Essex where the Foot and Mouth Disease was first confirmed on Tuesday.
NFU president Ben Gill implored journalists and film crews to stay away from infected farms to avoid spreading the disease.
He said, “I have been horrified this morning to see pictures of film crews on farms in the latest area to be restricted.”
Hexham market, located within 15 miles of the Heddon-on-the-Wall outbreak, has cancelled Fridays sales, sending all animals back to their farms.
A further case of foot-and-mouth Disease has also been confirmed in the parish of Canundon in Essex.
This brings the total number of current cases of foot-and-mouth disease to five.
There are also reports this morning of an 8km cordon being placed round a farm in Aberdeenshire.