UK Prime Minister Says Britain "Open For Business"

Prime Minister says Britain is "open for business"

Tourists should be clear that Britain is "open for business" and the countryside remains accessible, the Prime Minister has said.

Speaking to journalists in Downing Street, Mr Brown said that "swift, determined and decisive action" had been taken to contain the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey. The Government was now looking at "all available measures" to to assist rural economies, including extra cash to help with clean-up costs.

Earlier today Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds confirmed that a third Surrey farm, outside the existing exclusion zone, was being investigated for possible foot and mouth infection. A temporary three killometre exclusion area had been enforced around these premises, she said.

In a Defra press conference, Mrs Reynolds also said that there was currently no plan to begin a nationwide vaccination programme although it remained "an option" and preparations had been made for such a programme to go ahead if required. She reiterated that the Pirbright facility, which houses the Institute for Animal Health and the Merial company, remained the most likely source of the outbreak.

Defra also confirmed that cattle involved in the culling "on suspicion" at a third farm on Wednesday had tested negative for the disease.

Restrictions on the movement of livestock outside the Surrey exclusion zones were eased slightly on Thursday, with transport of dead animals and of animals for slaughter permitted under strict licensing conditions.

ENDS

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