IN AN interim assessment, the Environment Agency says the environmental impacts of last year's foot and mouth disease outbreaks were largely restricted to areas around disposal sites and were short-term.

But the report does warn that long-term effects on some groundwaters from the burial of carcasses and ash are possible, and that monitoring will therefore continue. The report's key findings include:

- No failures of national air quality standards around the five pyres, where comprehensive tests were carried out.

- Of the 212 water pollution incidents reported, three - caused by slurry spillages and disinfection washwater - were classified as "serious."

- Few impacts on surface water or groundwater from the disposal of the carcasses or pyre ash.

- No significant impact on soils.

- No significant human health impacts.

"In general, any environmental impacts have been short-term and localised, much smaller than the day-to-day impacts of current farming practices," says agency chairman Sir John Harman.

"The largest environmental impact of the outbreak is likely to be due to any restructuring of the farming industry. The opportunity must be grasped to bring farming onto a more sustainable footing whereby food production, rural well-being and environmental enhancement are promoted together".

To order a copy of the report, call (0845) 9333111.

Updated: 08:52 Thursday, March 21, 2002