Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Foot and mouth case suspected at Norfolk pig farm as control zone imposed

A 10km controlled zone has been implemented pending further tests

Thomas Kingsley
Friday 24 June 2022 11:07 EDT
Comments
A controlled zone has been placed around the farm
A controlled zone has been placed around the farm (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A suspected case of foot and mouth disease has been identified prompting enforcement of a controlled zone on a Norfolk farm, the government has confirmed.

A statement released by Defra said: “Following suspicion of vesicular disease in pigs, and as a precaution to prevent the spread of disease, a 10km temporary control zone has been declared around a premises near Feltwell,” the statement said.

“The premises remains under restrictions pending further tests,” it added.

NFU East Anglia regional director and former National Pig Association chief executive Zoe Davies said that the control zone is precautionary at this stage.

The 10km controlled zone implemented by Defra
The 10km controlled zone implemented by Defra (Defra)

“We are waiting, keeping everything crossed and praying it isn’t what they suspect it is,” Dr Davies said.

The last outbreak of foot and mouth in Britain was 2007. The viral disease is highly contagious and can affect cattle, swine, sheep and goats.

The virus causes painful blisters inside the mouth and under the hooves, and can cause lameness and problems feeding. Rarely affecting humans, it could however kill young animals. Its sheer infectiousness prompted the massive cull.

Sheep can be impacted by the disease
Sheep can be impacted by the disease (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease lasted almost a year and cost the economy more than £8bn. More than 2,000 cases of the disease were recorded in farms across most of the British countryside.

At least 7 million animals were slaughtered and it took the British meat industry several years to recover. Tourism was also badly hit as access to the countryside was restricted.

The 2007 outbreak in Surrey led to the slaughter of 600 cattle and a three-week ban on livestock exports.

A Defra spokesperson added: “We are currently investigating a suspected case of foot and mouth disease in England.

“Movement restrictions and a 10km temporary control zone have been put in place on the farm in Norfolk as a precaution. Preliminary testing does not indicate the presence of disease, but further work is now underway to fully rule it out.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in