The farmer at the centre of the latest British foot and mouth scare said tonight that he was "very relieved" his animals had been given the all-clear.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced this morning that tests on calves at Manor Farm in Wotton, near Dorking, Surrey, had proved negative and the temporary 3km control zone set up around it had been lifted.
Laurence Matthews said: "I'm very happy. I was pretty sure all along that we didn't have it. I'm very relieved."
Vets were called to the 2,500 acre farm on Thursday after calves began exhibiting signs of a virus - runny noses and swollen eyes - which Mr Matthews believes could be flu or pneumonia.
Although the animals' condition appears to have slightly improved today, some restrictions will remain in place on the farm for up to 48 hours, he said.
Mr Matthews's wife, Paula, said: "Every day seems to be a different rollercoaster of emotions but now we're obviously thrilled to bits.
"It's obviously been a very anxious time for the whole family."
She said that even now if she wanted to leave the home where the couple live with their three sons, aged eight, 10, and 12, she would have to shower and change her clothes.
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds told BBC News 24: "The laboratory test results have been negative from the farm in the temporary control zone to the east of our surveillance zone, and so I am very pleased that that can be lifted now, but I do have to remind everyone, this is a time for relentless vigilance.
"Everybody who has livestock will be looking at them very regularly for any signs of foot and mouth disease." She continued: "We have had to cull just over 500 animals on two infected premises and three other premises.
"It's early days, but so far, our evaluation is that the risk of spread outside the zone in Surrey is low."
Asked whether deliberate contamination was an issue being looked at, she said: "Every avenue of investigation is going on to piece together all of the bits of the jigsaw."