Police start investigation into sale of diseased sheep to farmers in Wales

A senior vet warned yesterday that the foot-and-mouth epidemic could last into next year as an investigation began into allegations that infected sheep are being sold so farmers can cash in on compensation.

The RSPCA's chief veterinary officer, Chris Laurence, said it was crucial that sheep carrying the virus were identified within weeks if the disease was to be eradicated before next year. His warning came as slaughterers completed a cull of 4,000 sheep on the Brecon Beacons to stop the disease spreading across the national park in mid-Wales.

Another 6,000 sheep are being tested as part of the effort to contain the disease. But Pembrokeshire County Council is now investigating claims that diseased sheep were offered for £2,000 to an uninfected farm so the flock could be infected, making its owner eligible for government compensation.

Nigel Watts, principal officer with Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection department, said: "We are treating this very seriously. There is no foot-and-mouth disease in the area and the farming unions, the tourist boards and the local people have worked very hard to keep it like that."

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys police said: "We are aware of allegations and are appealing for more information."

Tim Johns, Pembrokeshire county chairman of the National Farmers Union, said: "They are not farmers at all – they are just common criminals trying to make a fast buck."

The Brecon Beacons cull began as two new cases of foot-and-mouth were confirmed in the Crickhowell area of mid-Wales, bringing the total number of Welsh cases to 111.

Footpaths across the Beacons were closed to the public during the 24 hours of killing and carcasses were taken to rendering plants across the border in England. Meanwhile, routine slaughtering of cattle more than 30 months old is to resume today after it was suspended because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.