More cases add to foot-and-mouth outbreak woe

9:03 am

Britain's foot-and-mouth crisis has deepened with confirmation of three more cases, including a first outbreak in Cornwall, Southern England.

The Cornish case was found in cattle at an abattoir Botathan, South Petherwin, which is just south of Launceston.

The virus has also been discovered at a farm in Canonbie in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Executive said.

It is the fourth incidence of the disease in Scotland and the second in Canonbie.

And another case has been confirmed at a farm in Durham.

The latest cases take to 43 the number in the UK.

The national outbreak means thousands of miles of footpaths and vast forests are now sealed off, mountains barred to ramblers, race meetings cancelled and great country houses locked shut.

Country hotels, sports centres, zoos and Highland pubs prepared for empty tills after millions of people were told to stay at home.

A survey of Britain has found that nearly all councils in England and Wales have either closed their footpaths and bridleways or heavily restricted access in farming areas.

The rash of postponed sporting events, which began with cancellation of the Wales versus Ireland Six Nations rugby in Cardiff today, spread to affect six major horse race meetings, the British rallying championship, canoeing competitions and angling events. Officials in the Jockey Club also fear the Cheltenham Festival from 13 to 15 March and the Martell Grand National at Aintree next month could be scrapped if the virus continues to spread.

Nick Brown, the British Minister of Agriculture, moved yesterday to reopen the livestock trade to avert meat shortages and restore vital sources of income to beleaguered farmers. Tightly controlled shipments of sheep, pigs and cattle to abattoirs are likely to start on Monday.

But the Countryside Agency warned that the foot-and-mouth outbreak might still cost rural businesses £2bn.

Mr Brown said: "This is not a return to normal business. The volume will be less than usual and strict conditions will have to be met. None the less, I hope this move will mark the beginning of an orderly return to business for Britain's livestock farmers and meat industry."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke of the "sense of devastation" among people directly affected by the outbreak, and praised efforts to contain the disease.

But he became embroiled in a dispute with supermarket chains, as some stores indicated that meat prices would rise because of the crisis. Asda accused the Prime Minister of trying to find a "scapegoat" after Mr Blair claimed on Thursday that supermarkets had farmers in an "arm lock".

Jim Scudamore, the chief veterinary officer, said proposals to ease the restrictions on animal movements would not risk spreading the disease, but livestock markets might have to be disinfected to eliminate lingering traces of the disease.

A more serious threat comes from the illegal movement of animals. Colin Hebson, of Chapel Farm, Cotehill, near Carlisle, will appear before the city's magistrates on Monday for allegedly moving livestock after the ban was imposed. Three farmers from Herefordshire also face prosecution.