Wait nearly over?
- 7 Aug 07, 06:04 PM
After a day of waiting, within the next half hour we should have the initial findings of the Health and Safety Executive's report into the foot and mouth outbreak. And we're due to hear from the prime minister about the situation - he's to speak in Downing Street, making a statement as the report is published. The political stakes are high.
If the report suggests the infection came from the government lab, that could cause ministers serious political damage. Farmers, not traditional labour supporters anyway, will be incredulous and furious that a government agency designed to protect them has caused as yet unknown financial damage. If on the other hand, the report points the finger at Merial, the private company on the site, ministers will be relieved, and the political damage may indeed be contained, as long as the disease can be controlled.
