Monmouthshire County Council members have held a crisis meeting to discuss the implications for Monmouthshire following the news of another outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey. Councillor Eric Saxon, cabinet member for environmental health said: "We have plans in place in the event of an outbreak and these will be activated immediately.  All our relevant officers are on standby and are ready to respond if necessary." "I would also like to say that I'm deeply sorry for the predicament that farmers are in and my sympathy goes to the families affected by this.  They face a bleak few months while we wait for this to be resolved. "I would like residents know that, as neighbours and councillors, we will lend them our full support and do all we can to help the situation improve. "We would like to praise the farming community for the magnificent agricultural shows they have put on this year and we hope that this unfortunate outbreak is put to an end soon." This is a very worrying time for many people in Monmouthshire and MCC are advising anyone who is concerned about the restrictions in place to check the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk ">www.defra.gov.uk ; or phone the helpline on 08459 335577. MCC say they understand the increased pressure farmers are under during this difficult period; they are asking people to remain vigilant and follow strict biosecurity measures if you live on or have reason to attend premises with livestock. Trading Standards Officers are reminding farmers to:  *Check all animals regularly for clinical signs of the disease; *Increase biosecurity on their farms; *Observe the total standstill on animal movements in the UK;  Should there be any concerns about animals being moved illegally please contact Trading Standards Animal Health on 01633 644123. Meanwhile, Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay stressed how important it was that this fresh outbreak remained isolated and called upon the Welsh Assembly Government to act in the best interest of Monmouthshire's farmers. Mr Ramsay said: "It is unfortunate that so soon after restrictions had been lifted on the movement of cattle, yet another case of foot-and-mouth is reported. "The outbreak near Pirbright last month, despite being so far away, adversely impacted on many farmers across Monmouthshire, as well as affecting many of our seasonal agricultural shows. "I am concerned that this latest outbreak is more damaging to farmers than last month's as it has come at a time of year when livestock farmers need to move their animals and send them to market. "It is therefore welcome that restrictions on the movement of animals in Wales have eased to allow farmers to take livestock direct to slaughter. "It is, however, imperative that the Welsh Assembly Government does everything in its power to protect our farming communities until this new outbreak is stamped out."