January 9, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 5, 1423

LONDON, Jan 8: British cows could be on the frontline as the threat of a potential terror attack spreads from the nation’s streets to its fields.

British authorities are to step up surveillance against bioterrorism amid concerns that rogue groups could target the food chain by seeking to introduce animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth or the brain-wasting mad cow disease.

“We don’t ignore the fact that there could be the deliberate introduction of viruses in the form of livestock diseases...as an attack on our national economy,” animal health minister Elliot Morley said.

Morley said that an analysis of the threat of bioterrorism and steps to counter illegal imports of viruses to the United Kingdom will form part of a 10-year strategy being prepared to boost animal health and welfare and food safety.—Reuters