British authorities are reportedly considering widening the protection zone around the area affected by foot and mouth after the discovey of a second case of the disease. It was found on a farm near the perimeter of the 10-kilometre zone in southern England. News of a second case has fuelled fears of an epidemic like the one that devastated British farming in 2001. Farmers Union spokemsan Anthony Gibson said: “The absolute priority is to root out every last vestige of infection, and that’s where all of the efforts are being focussed at the moment. Because it’s on that that the outcome depends how successful we are. If we can get that right then we can get the industry back to normal relatively quickly,” he said. Rumours of a third infection have been denied by officials. A report giving the initial findings of an investigation into two laboratories where the outbreak is suspected of originating has been delayed. The experts involved say they need more time.

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