Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Welsh Liberal Democrat Mick Bates AM has accused the UK Government of failing to learn from its mistakes as news breaks of a ‘probable’ new leak of the foot-and-mouth virus from the Merial laboratory at Pirbright in Surrey.

In a written statement, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that the virus is believed to have escaped through a leaking valve and it was "possible that live FMD virus had entered the contained drainage system". DEFRA has confirmed that as yet there will be no new restrictions imposed on livestock movement.

Commenting on this latest development which has occurred at the Government owned facility that was under investigation following the August outbreak, Mick said:

“This news is totally unacceptable. Since the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth the Government has stressed the need to follow basic biosecurity measures yet it is failing to follow its own advice. Clearly the lesson has not been learnt.

“The farming industry in Wales is in crisis due to Government neglect. Farmers have been devastated by the restrictions on trade that followed the last outbreak and now they are struggling to survive - how much more can one industry stand?

“In failing to put biosecurity at the top of the agenda the UK Government has shown total disregard for our farmers. Immediate action must be taken now - the Government must make serious investment to ensure that companies that run these research facilities have effective biosecurity safeguards in place before it’s too late.”



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