Somebody has trodden on Britain's government vets' corns.
They must be worried to publicly "correct" the Daily Telegraph.
It seems especially odd to issue a correction when they admit they do not actually know with any certainty the method of importation of Schmallenberg Virus into England, and have confused the geography in previous statements.
They certainly don't like anyone suggesting that live imports could be associated with any of the constant stream of animal epidemics hitting Britain. That might suggest their carelessness.
They were so worried in the past that they resorted to criminal activity, and threatening witnesses to Parliament to try to suppress any such suggestion of live imports being the source and hide their associated faking of tests.
Past crimes are coming back to haunt Defra's corrupt officials.
There is going to have to be a Royal Commission of Enquiry with evidence taken under oath, unlike Phillips into BSE - Mad Cow, where they had amnesia when questioned and came away thinking they were beyond the reach of the law.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/03/03/myths-busted-schmallenberg-virus/
Myths busted: Schmallenberg virus
The myth: a comment piece in the Daily Telegraph suggests that the Schmallenberg virus was brought into the UK from live imports and not from midges.
The truth: All the evidence currently suggests that the disease was brought into the UK from infected midges blown across the Channel. We have seen no evidence to suggest that it was from imported livestock.
We are closely tracking the disease and will continue to work with partners across Europe and the UK to develop our knowledge of the disease as quickly as we can and help the farming industry understand what they are facing.
