A blanket ban has also been imposed on all untreated meat, and meat and dairy products, from the four Dutch provinces around the affected farms. The Dutch authorities say 18,000 animals will be slaughtered in the next few days to try to contain the outbreak, and vets are to meet on Friday to consider a blanket vaccination programme. Many politicians are in favour of such a scheme, but farmers' union representatives say this would not be in the long-term interests of the industry. The Dutch authorities have also placed a three-day ban on feed and milk transportation across the entire country. Confirmation of a third case at a farm in Welsum near Olst came later in the day.
Officials say they are mystified as to how the disease occurred.
The four cows at Olst are said to have had no contact with British or French animals, as no animals were brought in or out of the farm either this year or last. We hoped we had controlled it. Unfortunately we have not succeeded. The Netherlands had imposed some of the strictest restrictions and slaughter policies in Europe when the disease first emerged in the UK last month - but had eased their bans at midnight on Sunday, confident the situation was under control. In Britain the total number of cases so far confirmed has now risen to 435.