This new site is within the existing Egham Protection Zone in Surrey and this becomes the seventh Infected Premises since 3rd August this year. Minor changes have being made to the Protection Zone (PZ) and Surveillance Zone (SZ) in the area.

Defra also today published the latest Foot and Mouth Disease epidemiology report produced by the National Epidemiology Emergency Group. It concludes that Infected Premises 5 provides a link between the August and September cases with Infected Premises 5 probably being infected by mechanical transmission, either from the Pirbright site or one of the first two Infected Premises in the Elstead area. It also concludes that Infected Premises 3 and 4 were probably infected subsequently.

Based on the epidemiological report and the overall assessment of risk, two FMD risk areas will come into effect from 3.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday 25 September):

Risk Area: consisting of Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Greater London.

Low Risk Area: The rest of England, Wales and Scotland. In England, farm to farm movements will be allowed also from 3.30pm Tuesday 25 September under stringent conditions and subject to high levels of biosecurity with enforcement by Local Authorities.

For more information, see http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm