A mass cull of thousands of healthy farm animals is to begin in Britain over the next few days in an attempt to stem the foot and mouth problem. In the areas worst affected, all pigs and sheep within three kilometres of each infected farm will be slaughtered. Five cases have been confirmed today in Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Devon, Powys and Kent. This brings the total confirmed cases in Britain to 260. An opinion poll today shows that 47% of British people are opposed to elections taking place on 3 May because of the severity of the foot and mouth outbreak.
It is widely believed this is the date favoured by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, for a general election. The Conservative leader, William Hague, has said that the government should consider the implications of a campaign being fought while the country remains in the grip of foot and mouth disease.
