THE North Yorkshire-based president of the National Farmers' Union today welcomed the "excellent" news that the last county in Britain has been declared free of the "dreadful blight" of foot and mouth.

But Ben Gill warned that it could still be some weeks before the situation was internationally recognised, and many restrictions on farmers remained in force.

The comments from Mr Gill, who farms near Easingwold, follow the news that Northumberland, the last county designated "at risk" from the disease, had been declared free from midnight.

North Yorkshire, along with Cumbria and Durham, had its "at risk" status lifted at the beginning of this year.

But Mr Gill said the Government still had to apply to the European Commission and the international animal health organisation, the OIE, for official clearance.

He added: "The lifting of the last 'at risk' area will remove a long, dark shadow from the countryside.

"This is the news that farmers across the United Kingdom have been waiting for. We all hope that this is truly the beginning of the end of this appalling chapter.

"But we must now go to the European and world authorities as soon as humanly possible to get our disease-free status back."

There are still strict licensing procedures in place for every animal movement in the country, and a relaxation of these rules - including a partial reopening of livestock markets and a general instead of individual licensing system - is not expected until next month.

Mr Gill said: "Now we have reached this major milestone, it is imperative that these new arrangements are implemented as quickly as possible. The current restrictions are having a crippling financial and logistical impact."

He added the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs must ensure that future restrictions were proportionate to the remaining disease risk, and that they were continuously reviewed and relaxed when circumstances allowed.

A service is being held at Ripon Cathedral at 2.30pm on Thursday, February 28, to bring together all those in North Yorkshire affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, and to look forward to a more positive future.

The Church of England's national rural officer, the Rev Canon Jeremy Martineau, will give the address.

Peter Smith, president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: "We're delighted to support the service, which I pray will mark the start of the regeneration of the rural economy and help lift the morale of the many people who have had such a difficult time over these last months."

Updated: 11:44 Tuesday, January 15, 2002