Farmers in the Isle of Man are again on 'red alert', after another confirmed case of foot and mouth disease in the south of England.

The United Kingdom government has set up a six mile exclusion zone around the affected site, near Egham in Surrey, and a pre-emptive slaughter has been ordered.

In the Isle of Man, the council of ministers' foot and mouth sub committee will meet at 5pm to discuss how the Island will respond.

Graham Bell reports (text, below, of attached audio file):

Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne (picture) told me he was discussing the options available to his department with senior officials, and they would be considered at this afternoon's sub committee meeting.

He said a thorough risk assessment was carried out at the time of the previous scare, less than two months ago, and they would be drawing on the information gathered at that time.

On that occasion the deparment of agriculture moved swiftly, as soon as the outbreak was confirmed, imposing an immediate import and export ban on livestock.

Movements within the Island were also suspended, with immediate effect, and members of the public were banned from walking in rural areas.

The remaining restrictions on walking the use of public footpaths were lifted at the end of last week.

This afternoon's council of ministers sub committee meeting will include representatives from the departments of agriculture, transport and tourism and leisure, and the Treasury.