Europe steps up foot-and-mouth battle

These sheep in France will all be killed as a precaution

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Countries across Europe are stepping up measures to prevent foot-and-mouth outbreaks as fears grow that the first case outside the British mainland may have been identified.

Vets believe the foot-and-mouth disease has crossed the Irish Sea despite efforts to contain it in mainland Britain.

European nations have tightened measures, including checks on travellers arriving from Britain, to keep the disease away.

Tests are being carried out to see whether sheep on a farm in Northern Ireland, which showed signs of the disease, had actually contracted the virus.

AUDIO James McInnes, Chairman of the Devon National Farmers Union: Farmers fear the spread of the disease 0.34 MB/31 sec. AIFF or WAV sound A deepening financial crisis 0.37 MB/34 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Correspondent Peter Humi reports: France takes drastic action to prevent spread 537 K/49 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Royal Parks, Director of Parks Michael Fitt: Replacing deer would be terrible 189 K/18 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

If the case is confirmed it will be the first outside mainland Britain and take the total number of UK cases to 27.

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers said: "It is now my belief that we are looking at an outbreak of this disease in Northern Ireland."

In Germany, preliminary tests on five sheep, which were found to have foot-and-mouth antibodies in their blood, proved negative for the virus itself.

Foot-and-mouth disease affects animals with cloven hooves, like cows, sheep and pigs, but is harmless to humans. It is easily spread and can travel miles by air or on clothing or vehicle tyres.

The alarm was raised in Northern Ireland after 200 sheep were discovered to have been imported after being bought at a market in Carlisle, north west England.

The flock was destroyed while a livestock importer and dealer were being questioned on Wednesday as officials investigate whether UK bans on animal movements had been breached.

Under measures announced by Portugal, travellers arriving from Britain will have to surrender all food and walk through chemically impregnated sponges upon arrival.

Agriculture Minister Luis Capoulas Santos said: "I have decided to install footbaths at all sea and airports and border posts through which all passengers from the UK will have to pass to avoid contagion from the soles of their shoes, and to have all food confiscated."

Similar measures have been introduced for travellers arriving in the Irish Republic.

Britain's armed forces are on standby to help stem the widening outbreak in the UK. On Wednesday six new cases were identified.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore said the total number of animals which have either been slaughtered or are due to be culled is now believed to be 11,000. The animals involved include 1,000 cattle, 8,500 sheep and 1,500 pigs.

A total of 102 UK farms are now under restrictions, although 50 are believed to be clear of the disease.

Horse racing has been banned in Britain as part of attempts to prevent the disease spreading.

And a rugby international, due to take place in Wales this weekend, has been postponed amid fears that fans returning to Ireland after the match could introduce the virus to the country.

Governments elsewhere in Europe are also taking action to try to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Animals imported from Britain are being slaughtered in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Belgium and Poland have also announced measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The European Union has extended until March 9 a ban on the export from Britain of live animals.

In Germany and the Netherlands, authorities have already killed more than 3,500 cows, sheep and pigs imported from Britain.

Belgium has banned the transport of all sheep and goats within the country at least until March 19 while Poland announced a ban on all imports of livestock from across the European Union and other European countries.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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EU urges traces to beat foot-and-mouth
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New UK foot-and-mouth case
February 25, 2001
Massive foot-and-mouth cull begins
February 24, 2001
Outbreak sparks UK meat shortage fears
February 24, 2001
UK animal virus ban to last weeks
February 22, 2001
BSE: Moves to repel European disease
January 29, 2001

European Union
The European Commission
UK Ministry of Agriculture
UK Government
National Farmers' Union
French Government

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