Foot and Mouth: sabotage?
The initial investigation into the Pirbright site has reported that either drainage or sabotage could be responsible for the outbreak


The inquiry conducted by the Health and Safety Executive into the cause of the new Foot and Mouth outbreak has indicated that there is a 'strong possibility' that the virus came from the Government-licensed Pirbright complex in Surrey, although it could not say whether it came from the Institute of Animal Health or Merial.
Inspectors are now trying to determine whether the disease may have got out due to drainage problems, or whether it was carried out of a laboratory, either accidentally or deliberately, by Merial employees.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has closed all footpaths within the 3km protection zone, and has this morning released a response to the report, on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website. It reads: 'Release by human movement - which the report describes as a real possibility ? will now be investigated further as a matter of urgency. This will involve further interviews with personnel at the site.'
However, the US-owned pharmaceutical company Merial has denied all responsibility, saying today: 'We have conducted intensive internal investigations and, as a result, continue to have complete confidence in our processes and procedures? To date, we have not been able to establish any evidence that the virus may have been transported out of our centre by humans.'
The president of the National Farmers' Union, Peter Kendall told the BBC's Newsnight programme that the union was considering legal action, as farmers are already losing considerable amounts of money due to the transport and export bans that are currently in place.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
‘Going around that track, in that Ferrari, was ecstasy of the most legal kind’: How to embrace your inner race car driver
Goodwood’s ProDriver Experience is a chance for you to pull on a race suit and live out your childhood fantasies — no matter how tall you are.