Restrictions on livestock movements were relaxed yesterday despite animals on a third farm showing symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease.

The animals, believed to be a mix of cattle and sheep, were ordered to be killed after “suspected clinical signs” of the disease were spotted at the farm within the two-mile radius protection zone around farmland in the village of Normandy, Surrey, where the original infection was discovered.

Nevertheless, Debby Reynolds, the chief veterinary officer, decided that the spread of the disease was sufficiently limited for movement orders to be relaxed outside the six-mile surveillance zones around the infected areas, allowing farmers to take livestock for slaughter as long as certain conditions are adhered to.

Among the conditions imposed on farmers and abbatoirs was that strict biosecurity measures must be observed and that a vet must examine every animal taken in for slaughter.

Dr Reynolds also gave permission for dead animals, referred to as fallen stock, to be removed under licence from farms. The issue of dead livestock being left to rot where they fell had been causing concern.

Dr Reynolds said: “The decision has been taken to permit the movement of live animals directly to slaughter and the collection of dead animals from farms. The decision has been made following a veterinary assessment of the risks.”

She emphasised, however, that yesterday was still only the fifth full day of the outbreak and that the operation to tackle the disease was still in full swing. It remains a possibility that the disease will spread beyond the protection zone.

The third farm suspected of foot-and-mouth infection is next to the second farm, where 102 cattle were culled. The original infection was found on land in Normandy that formed part of a farm based in Elstead, about four miles away, where a second animal was later found to be infected.

Peter Ainsworth, the Shadow Environment Secretary and a Surrey MP, said: “The news that further culling is to take place in Surrey will come as a bitter blow to the farmer concerned and he has my deepest sympathy.

“The fact that the need for this arises from a dangerous contact, however, suggests that the disease is not spreading widely, but we can only wait and hope at this stage.”

He added: “I welcome today’s limited relaxation of the movement ban outside the affected area. However, I am disappointed that the Government, unlike the Administration in Scotland, is still refusing to permit on-farm burial of sheep and other smaller animals.

“On-farm burial would be quicker, and more efficient than waiting for dead animals to be collected, and would limit unnecessary movement.”

Kevin Pearce, of the National Farmers’ Union, welcomed the movements ruling: “For a big chunk of the country, this is clearly a step forward.”

He added: “Clearly we want to do more but we need to do it when it is right to do it. We are supportive of this move and we are encouraging everyone to comply with the conditions.”

Roger Williams, for the Liberal Democrats, said: “If the risk assessment suggests it is safe to move animals to slaughter, then that is excellent news. Slaughterhouses have now been shut for three days and the supply of meat only lasts for seven, so shops have come worryingly close to running out of food.”

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive has found that the most likey source of the infection is a research complex in Pirbright, three miles from the original outbreak. Results of HSE tests which may determine whether the virus escaped via an an effluent disposal system are expected to today. Investigators are continuing their efforts to find how it escaped from either the Institute of Animal Health, a government-funded research facility, or Merial, a research company producing vaccines.

The European Union agreed that Britain should remain a “high-risk zone” and that a meat and livestock import and export ban would stay in place until at least August 25. The ban covers cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and products made from them, although those produced before July 15 are acceptable, as are heat-treated products and those made in Britain from imported animals.

"Movements outside the surveillance and protection zones present a low risk provided the conditions and licence are strictly followed"
Debby Reynolds

"This is both a measured and very necessary first step on the road towards getting the industry back to normal"
Peter Kendall, NFU President

"At present we have a good supply of meat in our stores. We hope to support our British farmers and suppliers as best we can"
Sainsbury’s spokesman

Open for business

— Butchers and independent traders have seen short-term disruptions in their meat supplies but the crisis is unlikely to affect consumers this weekend

— The largest supermarket chains say their shelves are stocked full of lamb, beef and pork

— We spend around £2.8 billion a year on British-reared red meat and prices this weekend will remain unchanged. There has been no sign of panic buying

— Since foot-and-mouth disease was first discovered, supermarkets have been seeking alternative suppliers. Beef from Brazil, lamb from New Zealand and Ireland and pork from the Netherlands has replaced domestic supplies

— However, traders at Smithfield market in Central London were beginning to feel the pinch. One wholesaler, Simon Glyn, said yesterday had been the worst day so far, with trade down two-thirds

— Had restrictions not been lifted, experts predict that home-produced lamb and pork would have lasted until the end of the week, with stocks of beef, which has a longer maturation process, lasting for around two weeks

— Fear of creating a shortage was one of the reasons why the Government delayed introducing a ban on livestock movement during the 2001 outbreak. The delay led to a spread of the infection, and the slaughter of millions of animals in the British countryside. This time, the Government immediately imposed a total ban

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