大象传媒

• The worst outbreak so far was in 1967 when 400,000 animals were slaughtered.
• In 1981 a single case occurred on the Isle of Wight.
• Since 1982 Britain has been classified as free of the disease.
• The total number of confirmed cases in the UK has reached 1.928 cases.
  3,656,000 animals have been slaughtered.
  38,000 awaiting slaughter
  21,000 awaiting disposal

Day 42 - April 3
Environment Minister Michael Meacher announced a public inquiry into the Foot and Mouth outbreak. He said the country would want to know how the disease got such a hold. But his remarks appeared to surprise to Prime Minister Tony Blair who said that the issue of how the lessons of the outbreak were learnt were something to be considered "at another time".

Ramblers from the Freedom to Roam Committee said local authorities were not doing enough to re-open footpaths in areas not stricken by the disease. The election delay also raised hopes by anti-hunt campaigners that the bill to ban hunting with dogs would now have enough time to clear Parliament.

Day 41 - April 2
The Prime Minister will make an official announcement today of the postponement of local elections in England because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It's the first time since the Second World War that elections have been put off because of a national crisis. There's a wide expectation that the General Election will be held on the same day as the postponed council elections in June. John Prescott said that he would have preferred the elections to go ahead on May 3, but knew it was a difficult decision for Tony Blair.

Day 39 - March 31
Is Britain still "open for business" in the countryside? Many now claim that it is but one test is when the footpaths are re-opened to the public. But the deputy leaders of Cheshire county council maintained that it was too early to do this in affected areas. He also called for the vaccination programme to proceed. Meanwhile, Chris Smith outlined the Government's policies to support the ailing tourist industry.

Day 38 - March 30
Some of the most senior bishops in the Church of England have urged the Prime Minister to delay the general election. Meanwhile time is running out for the government to decide whether or not to vaccinate animals against foot and mouth. The government is also facing a challenge in the courts from the publisher and organic farmer Peter Kindersley, who's won the right to a judicial review of the policy of slaughtering animals during the crisis.

Day 36 - March 28
The source of contamination which has been identified as a farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall, has raised questions about the use of pigswill as a form of feed. The Government are now considering vaccinating animals against the virus, in addition to the current culling policy. Speaking in the Commons, Nick Brown told the House that the Government has sought permission from the European Union's Standing Veterinary Committee. This would mean that if permission is granted vaccination could begin straight away.