010339 Britain Eases Foot-And-Mouth Curbs

London - Britain partially relaxed curbs on animal movements imposed because of the highly infectious foot-and-mouth disease, although the number of confirmed cases continued to spiral upward.

Britain's chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore announced that licensed farmers will from Tuesday be allowed to move animals from field to field and up to three miles in order to relieve animal suffering.

The relaxation follows demands from farmers and is intended to help lambing ewes and cows about to give birth.

“It's for the welfare of local livestock,” a ministry of agriculture spokesman said.

The measure was welcomed by farmers.

“This will offers some farmers ... flexibility to provide the best environment for their animals while ensuring that our guard against the spread of the disease is not relaxed,” National Farmers Union President Ben Gill said in a statement.

Scudamore stressed, however, that tight restrictions on livestock movements will be maintained and rigorously enforced. The disease is spread on wind, clothing and tires.

The government also announced 13 new cases of the disease bringing the total to 119 since the outbreak, the first for more than 20 years, was confirmed just over two weeks ago.

Nearly 75,000 farm animals have been slaughtered and another 18,000 are waiting to be killed to stop the disease spreading.

However the government said that the new cases were all linked and could be traced back to the original outbreak at a farm in Essex in southeast England.

Figures released by the Meat and Livestock Commission on Friday showed that beef production rose to 61% of normal, from 53% the previous day, while lamb output jumped to 36%, from 25%.

Sports Events Curtailed

Sporting events continue to be affected by foot-and-mouth disease.

Fears are growing over the fate of the flagship Grand National horse race after Scudamore warned Thursday that foot-and-mouth disease would last a long time.

The three-day steeplechase meeting, one of the highlights of the hunt season, is due to open in Liverpool, northwest England on April 5.

The Cheltenham Festival has already been called off.

Despite farmers' protests, limited horse racing resumed on Wednesday after a week-long ban.

Foot-and-mouth disease has also struck the Six Nations rugby union tournament with Ireland Wednesday canceling matches against England and Scotland.

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