Natural England

Updated 18 September 2007

On 12 September Foot and Mouth Disease was confirmed at a farm in Surrey. A single Protection Zone has been put in place around the land of this farm, with a Surveillance Zone of 10 kilometres radius beyond that.

Cattle on the affected farm have been culled, together with animals on an adjacent farm. Latest information can be found on the Defra website.

On 18 September Foot and Mouth Disease was confirmed at premises where sheep, pigs and cattle were culled the previous night. The farm is within the existing Protection Zone near to the Infected Premises confirmed last week. Minor changes have now been made to the Protection and Surveillance Zones in the area.

Natural England is working closely with Defra to provide advice on access to the countryside, wildlife management and agri-environment payments to Agreement holders.

Sir Martin Doughty, Natural England's Chair, said: "Apart from the small area around the latest outbreaks of foot and mouth, the countryside is open for business as usual. Natural England is working closely with Defra and local agencies on the ground, providing advice on access to the countryside in the affected area, wildlife management and agri-environment payments to Agreement holders.

"We can reassure Environmental Stewardship Agreement holders that they will still receive payments if controls for the outbreak put them in breach of their Agreement. We are encouraging them to talk to us or check information online if they have any concerns about this or any other aspects of their Agreement such as keeping educational footpaths open."

We will continue to update this website with any significant developments on this issue as more information becomes available.

For press enquiries please contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953 or for out of office hours enquiries please call 07970 098005.