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Fears Grow That Foot And Mouth Is Spreading
HAMPSHIRE - Farmers feared that the foot and mouth outbreak was spreading last night after a control zone was set up in Hampshire following the discovery of an animal with suspected symptoms.The three kilometre zone was set up around premises near Petersfield as a precautionary measure, a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.
Tests were being conducted on the affected animal. Six cases of foot and mouth disease have been confirmed in Surrey since the initial outbreak on Aug 3.
The farmer at the centre of the sixth case said he had no idea how the virus reached his herd of specialist West Sussex cattle, which were grazing in Runnymede, Surrey.
David Sheldrake, of Priest Hill, Old Windsor, said: "We've seen it on the television happening to others, the way they've suffered and now I'm finding out for myself."
The farmer said he and his wife Coral had been devastated by the cull of 34 West Sussex cows after signs of the disease were noticed on Friday.
He urged fellow farmers to continue fighting to keep the disease at bay.
"We have fought like hell and unfortunately we've lost."
Mr Sheldrake said the disease has not been found at his home farm.
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