One report said pigs were being taken as far as Derbyshire to get them away from no-go areas in Norfolk. The pig industry believes the Government should make more money available to compensate farmers but should also be putting strong pressure on the European Union for extra funds. They argue that if they are properly compensated there is no need to move pigs and therefore the risk of the disease spreading further is reduced. Mr Campbell said the case for money from Europe needed to be put with vigour. He has written to Mr Brown raising concerns including short-sighted measures which Mr Prior claims are not doing enough to stop the spread.
Swine fever is thought to have been brought into East Anglia from an imported meat product.
MAFF has still not confirmed exactly how it happened, but one theory being explored is that a traveller from Asia could have discarded salami or uncooked pork into outdoor pig paddocks. Copyright 1999 Eastern Counties Newspapers Group Ltd, all rights reserved. Terms and conditions .