A DECISION on whether to sue the Government over the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey has moved a step closer.

Lawyers acting for the National Farmers Union (NFU) have passed their initial research on to Richard Lissack, QC, for his view.

Hundreds of NFU members have registered to be part of the group action to recover losses incurred following the livestock movement ban.

Peter Kendall, NFU president, said he was furious: Not because FMD has got in through our borders, but because it has got out from within them.

Although relieved the government had eased some livestock movement restrictions he said: The fact remains that they would not have been needed in the first place if the proper biosecurity and containment measures had been in place at Pirbright.

It is believed the fmd virus may have escaped through a broken pipe at the governments Pirbright laboratories.

o A new temporary control zone was yesterday (Wed) established round premises near Maidenhead, Berkshire, where a suspected case of foot and mouth was being investigated.

A fourth animal yesterday also tested positive for bluetongue. The cow on a farm near Ipswich, Suffolk, was to be slaughtered.