Could FMD Have Been Spread Through Chemical Drums
UK - A Cambridge-educated scientist has become a key figure in the foot and mouth inquiry after chemical drums from the vaccine factory at the centre of the outbreak were found on his allotment.Chemical containers from Merial used as planters at the Fawthrop allotment |
Dr Duncan Fawthrop, 47, uses the blue plastic drums as planters on his vegetable patch.
Friends said he had brought them from the Merial laboratory at Pirbright where he is second in command.
His parish council allotment is next to the field belonging to beef farmer Derrick Pride where the disease first took hold last week.
Merial's bosses confirmed that Dr Fawthrop had visited his allotment on Tuesday with inspectors from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs working on the foot and mouth inquiry.
The scientist's identity was revealed as the Government announced a third suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey.