Gervase, there _is_ a cure - vaccination. But (a) it makes it difficult to export livestock, since tests can't tell the difference between vaccinated animals and ones with the "live" virus; and (b) it's expensive. So when there'd been no new cases for long enough, MAFF decided that the disease had gone and it was safe to stop vaccinating. Bad move, but anyway.

Something today about this - a guy on the radio saying that although the farmers will get compensation, there's no chance of compensation for all the ppl who depend on tourism, passing trade or trade from farmers in country areas. Pretty damn serious for them.

Grab.