WITH no further cases of foot and mouth at the time of going to press, farmers in the area are playing a waiting game, praying for the all clear. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has this week already relaxed the movement of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter collections and sales yesterday (Thursday), and the movement of horses in and out of protection zones on Tuesday. Meanwhile, South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has now been able to provide some answers to the questions concerning the rural community regarding the foot-and-mouth outbreak. As promised at a public meeting in Elstead, Rural Affairs Minister Jonathan Shaw wrote to Mr Hunt with his response to matters raised. The Minister clarified the situation with regard to dog walking, saying that dogs within the surveillance zone should be kept on a lead when outdoors especially where there may be livestock. If a premises is under suspicion of infection, dogs must be shut in or otherwise confined. Mr Hunt thanked all those who attended the public meeting and also everyone who has shown support for the rural community during this difficult time. He said: "There are undoubtedly many lessons to be learned from the handling of the situation, but for now we must continue to offer our wholehearted support to Elstead's farmers."
