Region's farmers take action
Farmers across the region have swung into action to protect their cattle from foot and mouth.
Farmers across the region have swung into action to protect their cattle from foot and mouth.
Disinfectant baths and straw are being put down at entrances to farms to prevent the virus being brought in on vehicle tyres or footwear.
Dairy farmer Michael Madders, of Church Farm in Coppenhall, near Stafford, started taking the precautions on Saturday after hearing about the case in the Guildford area and the nationwide ban on moving cattle, sheep and pigs.
Mr Madders, who is also chairman of the National Farmers' Union's Staffordshire branch, said: "It is extremely bad news but they are looking to move as quickly as possible to isolate the incident and eradicate the diseased animals.
"It is a case of making sure everything is closed down fast enough to stop the disease spreading, because it spreads like wildfire."
Mr Madders said his business did not suffer greatly during the last foot and mouth outbreak in 2001.
"There were farms affected in Staffordshire - the closest one to us was John Buxton's at Teddesley where they lost some cows. But, fortunately, the county was cleared of it quite quickly," he said.
"We'll just have to see what happens over the coming days to see if it will have much impact on Staffordshire this time around."
Meanwhile, Staffordshire County Council has set up a dedicated advice line for concerned farmers, which was open over the weekend.
Members of the county council's animal health team have been answering questions about the latest outbreak and offering advice.
Councillor Carol Dean, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "Another outbreak of foot and mouth disease is terrible to contemplate.
"While there is no risk whatsoever to human health, our animal health officers will provide every assistance possible to help farmers through what, at the very least, are an uncertain few days ahead.
"I would want to reassure the general public that the countryside remains fully open and accessible and we continue to welcome visitors to Staffordshire."
Brian Camfield, county manager for healthier communities, said so far there was only one confirmed case nationally and there were no suspected cases in Staffordshire.
He added: "But we are by no means complacent. This is a real blow for Staffordshire farmers and our animal health officers are working with Defra and other agencies to ensure that everything possible is done to help them."
