France prepares to slaughter another 30,000 animals on top of the 20,000 already culled. Supermarkets strike back at accusations by the prime minister Tony Blair that they have promoted the crisis by pressuring farmers to produce cheap food, saying he is looking for a scapegoat. Restrictions across mainland Europe step up with many ports of entry requiring travellers from Britain to disinfect their footwear and vehicle tyres. Confirmed cases in Britain rise to 52. The UK Agriculture Minister announces that European Union aid due to farmers to compensate for the strong pound value will be sped up.
Initial results prove negative but an exclusion zone is put in place and further samples taken.
In Britain 57 cases are confirmed including one on a farm owned by the Prince of Wales. Second tests on suspect animals in Belgium and Denmark prove negative. Licenses in Britain allow livestock from disease-free areas to move directly to abattoirs. European ministers propose extending the ban on British exports of livestock until March 27 and putting a ban on livestock markets but veterinary experts reject a call for mass vaccination. Confirmed cases in Britain reach 76.