AS the finger of blame for the foot-and-mouth outbreak appears to point at an alleged "major lapse of security" in a government research laboratory, there is rising anger in the farming community over the percieved double standards. Since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth in 2001, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) forced farmers to adhere to stringent bio- security procedures. So the news that it is the very department which is seemingly responsible for the current outbreak has shocked farmers, who feel cheated and let down. Former Hampshire NFU chairman, David Ashcroft, told The Herald: "We feel badly let down by the very people who are supposed to be working towards preventing the spread of this devastating disease." The Selborne beef farmer added: "If I (a farmer) was responsible for this 'lapse', I would now be in jail." Mr Ashcroft has joined the growing number of farmers upset over the lack of contact from Defra; the failure to close footpaths sooner in the three kilometre protection zones and uncertainty over the closure rules. Uppermost in farmers' thoughts is the need to prevent the outbreak from becoming an epidemic. At the time of going to press two farms had fallen victim to the virus, both close to the Government- licensed Pirbright complex in Surrey – a site shared between the Institute for Animal Health and its commercial partners, Merial Animal Health. Family run farming business, D Pride and Partners – the first farm to report signs of disease during a regular daily check on August 2, has had animals culled at its first site in Normandy and at its main (Woolfords) farm in Elstead. At a press conference in front of TV cameras on Tuesday, farm owner Roger Pride spoke of the "complete shock and devastation" felt by the family on receiving news from Defra Animal Health that tests had proven positive. "It felt as if our whole world had been turned upside down." said the farmer, who saw 64 head of cattle valued and humanely slaughtered. "While we will be compensated for the market value of the cattle, there are the cleaning and disinfection costs to be resolved and our farming business will be closed down for many months." Whatever the cause of the outbreak, Mr Pride said it was obvious he and his family have been the victims of circumstances far beyond their own control. The first theory was that a sewer which overflowed into the field where part of his herd were grazing, could have carried disease from the Pirbright facility, where it is understood tests were being carried out on the strain of virus contracted by the animals. Later, speculation surrounded the possibility of airborne disease resulting from a breakdown in bio-security at the plant, caused by flooding An inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive on Wednesday revealed a 'strong possibility' that the virus had been carried by workers from Pirbright. Even sabotage could not be ruled out. This shocking revelation followed news of a second outbreak of the disease on Tuesday, at the farm of John Gunner, less than three miles away from the Normandy site. Sympathising with the farmers, as an NFU member, David Ashcroft said he was angry at the apparent reluctance of the government to hold up its hands to the outbreak and start making amends. Although impressed by the swift implementation of exclusion zones around the affected farms, Mr Ashcroft pointed out that farmers like himself, were happy to follow movement restrictions to contain the outbreak. He said: "Prolonged freezing of movement will have severe implications, not just on the Government's pockets, but for the wider community. "It will mean dwindling meat stocks and another blow to the rural economy." While footpaths have now been closed in the high risk areas, Mr Ashcroft has joined others in urging walkers to stay away from farmland to avoid inadvertently creating a problem. It is a sentiment echoed by local MP James Arbuthnot who told The Herald: "Initially I have been encouraged by the swift action taken by Defra. They have clearly learned much from the hard lessons of 2001. "However, with the confirmation of a second case I am troubled to hear local farmers within the exclusion zone express concern that footpaths remain open. I appreciate that we should do all we can to protect the rural economy, but there is still uncertainty over the source and mode of transmission. "Footpaths within exclusion zones should be closed immediately. This decision can be reversed easily, but the spread of the disease cannot." l A public helpline has been set up by Hampshire County Council as part of its co-ordinated response to assist Defra in dealing with the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey on 01962 844106. For further information should call the Defra helpline on 0845 9335577 or visit http://www.defra.gov.uk">www.defra.gov.uk.