British army called in to help with cull

The British government has called in the army for the first time to kill animals as the culling of livestock to control foot …

The British government has called in the army for the first time to kill animals as the culling of livestock to control foot and mouth continues.

Seven army butchers will help in the cull at a former RAF base in Great Orton, Cumbria.

A British ministry of defence spokesman said: "Until now the military have only been involved to help the logistics and organisation of the cull. Tomorrow they will help to kill the animals."

Six men from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment in Yorkshire will help in the county's culling programme.

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The British government has also signalled vaccination could be used against foot-and-mouth disease.

The use of pigswill - a possible cause of the outbreak - will also be banned.

There are now 704 cases of foot-and-mouth in the UK, including one case in Northern Ireland.

PA