Nervous wait
I come from spending much of the day with the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. We had been granted special access to visit the new animal disease control centre in Guildford with him, to talk about the progress of efforts to combat the disease. Nearly 200 staff, vets, animal inspectors, trading standards officers, even police, from all over the country, have gathered there to do their utmost to stamp it out.
It's an impressive operation and clearly the minister enjoyed meeting and talking with the staff. So much so, that his team were having a hard time trying to keep him to his timetable for the day. Things at the centre seemed to be run with military precision. The staff are clearly all working very hard, but they seemed positive about their progress.
But later, once we'd arrived back in London the mood changed. News of a potential case of the disease, in Kent, more than 60 miles away from the original outbreak, broke. A meeting was scheduled for the minister with farmers, vets, and other groups affected. I understand they had been planning to talk about ways of moving towards easing the movement ban. But instead, top of the agenda , another potential case. An outbreak, if confirmed, in Kent would be serious indeed because it would show efforts to confine the disease had failed. Somehow it would have got through and if it had been able to travel that far, where else might it turn up?
And in the past 20 minutes another possible outbreak. This time in Surrey, but outside the original control area that was set up around the first case. Defra, and most of all, farmers around the country will hope fervently that neither case is proved to be foot and mouth. And it's important to remember that it's in a sense MORE likely that suspected cases will be found because farmers are on high alert. That said, it's a nervous wait for ministers and those whose livelihoods depend on this disease being stamped out.
In terms of identifying a source for the outbreak - still no news. Hilary Benn told me this afternoon he just didn't know when the results of the tests from the Pirbright labs would be complete. There may never be a conclusive outcome.
I'm 
Comments
'We had been granted special access...'
It's always good to get rewarded for good behaviour.
I sincerely hope that this time the authorities will have the clarity of thought to bring everything to the fore without cover-ups and without spin. It is in everybody's interest to defeat the disease. This is not about winning small political points. It is about protecting health and livelihoods. About 25 years ago Britain had more than 650,000 farmers and the numbers have fallen dramatically. We need our farmers and we need to support them. We need to have access to adequate information to avoid unnecessary rumours that can be absolutely catastrophic. Basically, I am talking about trust.
This topic follows an Aristotelian three act structure. Beginning with the enthusiastic meeting between Environment Secretary Benn and staff, it leads into looming danger, and ends on an uncertain note. This is media by narrative, and not so much Triumph of the Will but more a Friday the 13th. Whatever floats your boat.
I'm used to viewing projects in a the linear, cyclical, or hybrid approach of systems design. As conclusively inconclusive as this ending was my mind is drawn back to the beginning. I don't see most government ministers as grade A material. As with the media and public they have their issues but this looks promising.
It doesn't matter whether you're a politician, journalist, or member of the public, we all look to people around us for leadership and support. Like anything in this world it's a two way street. I've admired the bushido like spirit people have shown, and Hilary Benn's man of the people routine has something going for it.
Not bad, not bad at all. Grasshopper shows some promise.
You weren't granted special access; you were an unwitting (possibly) participant in a PR exercise designed to make the Government and Hilary look as though they have the situation under control.
You see Laura, when one is patient, everything comes one's way.
No rush, no spin, no PR, no photo shoots to show us that the Govt. is doing it's job to eradicate this disease. So far the future for the farmers look promising.
This one is for contribution no. *4*. What a pity the Tories are already digging their grave for the next election. Cheer up mate, life is too short to be so green with envy. Have a nice day Laura.
I had a 28 ounce Angus rib steak I grilled last Sunday, must have been at least two inches thick and nicely marbelized too. Done well caramelized and seared on the outside, rare on the inside, just the way I like it. $7 a pound at Shoprite. Now what was that about Americans eating "Frankenfood" beef tainted with hormones and antibiotics? How glad I am for Europe starting this agricultural trade war. Lower prices and less risk of eating tainted meat for me, and for you... well that's your problem. I know where you can get a great deal on a warehouse of unwanted Chinese made dog food.
To 'Albert' #5 -
Do you work for, or are you affliliated to the Labour Party / Government, because your post sure as hell reads as if you do!
I ask as a concerned voter.
To 'Ed'
As a 'voter', why would you be 'concerned' about a fellow voter being 'affiliated' (maybe a member! shock!) of the Labour Party?
Would you like to make this illegal?
Or ban party members or supporters from expressing themselves in public?
still no news, amazing how it has slipped out of focus, and we may never get a result? great coverage.