Minister confronted over animal cull 'dithering'

They confronted deputy agriculture minister Joyce Quin with the accusations as she visited the North-East disease control centre at Kenton Bar, Newcastle.

She was met by a group of about 20 private vets working for the Ministry of Agriculture (Maff), as well as foreign vets brought into to bolster the efforts, including four newly-arrived Australians.

Some based at the centre told her that decisions were being made too slowly - particularly over whether to cull thousands of sheep which graze on common land near Hexham, Northumberland, and which may have been exposed to the disease.

They also claimed that the reality of what is happening in the countryside is not being relayed to Whitehall.

Ms Quin said: "They were concerned, and I don't blame them for that. I have certainly had some very full discussion, not just with vets, but also with farmers. These are not often straightforward decisions, but any delay is not deliberate."

She was told some vets were concerned they would not have jobs in private practice to return to when the outbreak was over, because the livestock industry would be crippled by the crisis.

The minister made her visit to thank overseas vets who have responded to Britain's call for international help in combating the disease.

Thirty-four vets from countries including Spain, Hungary, France, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, are helping 45 British vets working from Kenton Bar.

Ms Quin met Lyndel Post and Peter Buckman, both government vets from Australia, who will work at the Newcastle centre for a month.

Mr Buckman, deputy chief veterinarian officer of Western Australia, said: "I am impressed by the efforts to develop a cohesive team and by the enormous effort and energy put in by all members of staff."

He said Australia, which last had a foot-and-mouth outbreak in 1872, would also benefit because vets would gain experience of tackling the disease at first hand.