Hacking illegal in foot and mouth protection zone

Bridleways and footpaths in the 3km protection zone (PZ) around the two farms affected by foot-and-mouth (FMD) in Surrey are now closed.

DEFRA’s chief veterinary inspector made the decision last night, after growing pressure from farmers in the Pirbright area near Surrey.

But DEFRA is insisting the rest of the countryside, outside the 3km protection zone, is still open.

A DEFRA spokesman said: “Current veterinary advice is that outside the protection zone, the risk of rights of way users and other visitors to the countryside spreading disease is low.”

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