Sky News Headline: says; 'A fresh outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed leaving the rural community fearing a repeat of the 2001 epidemic that brought chaos to Britain. A spokesman for Defra said animals on a farm near Guildford in Surrey had tested positive for the disease. The Defra spokesman said: "On the basis of initial laboratory results, Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease."In accordance with the legislation, all the cattle on the premises will be culled, he said. Defra refused to be any more precise about the farm's location, however the Surrey Advertiser newspaper said it was in Elstead. A protection zone, three kilometres in radius, and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres has been placed around the premises. A national movement ban of all ruminants and pigs has been imposed.
A meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency contingencies committee has been held to discuss the outbreak, with Prime Minister taking part by telephone from his holiday in Dorset.
