Disease suspected on Continent

Special report: Foot and mouth disease

Andrew Osborn in Brussels
The Observer, Sunday March 4 2001

France and Belgium reported their first suspected cases of foot and mouth disease yesterday, stoking fears that the contagion that broke out in Britain might have spread to continental Europe. The border was closed to livestock traffic.

'If we do nothing, it will spread across our country fast. My specialists are convinced,' French Health Minister Bernard Kouchner said. 'If it doesn't reach France, we can consider it a real miracle.'

It is feared several sheep among a flock of 80 at a farm in Roche-la-Moliere, in the Loire region, have the disease.

A public veterinary official said initial tests proved negative, but results from additional ones were not due until tomorrow.

The Belgian Farm Ministry was investigating a suspected case at a pig farm at Diksmuide, near the French border in western Flanders.

An official said initial laboratory tests had been negative. But Agriculture Minister Jaak Gabriels ordered a nationwide ban on the transport of live farm animals.