NORTH Yorkshire's battle against foot and mouth suffered a fresh setback.

After four days without a single new case, three were confirmed in one day in the Thirsk and Whitby areas. And animals have been slaughtered on another two farms on suspicion that they have the disease.

The latest confirmed cases - bringing the total number so far in North Yorkshire to 134 - are at Middle Farm, Lythe, near Whitby, Glenside Farm, Kepwick, near Thirsk and Griffin Farm, Bagby, near Thirsk.

Animals have been slaughtered on suspicion at Chestnut Farm at Thirlby, near Thirsk, and at Horsehouse Farm, Lealholm, near Whitby.

There was better news from experts conducting the mass blood-testing of sheep across a swathe of North Yorkshire. All of the 21 results so far have proved negative.

Meanwhile, Government officials admitted yesterday (Wednesday) there were "lessons to be learned" after foot-and-mouth compensation claims were set by 'unqualified valuers with an interest in upping payments'.

It emerged that farmers could even reject expert valuations in favour of larger estimates.

The "cosy relationship" between farmers and valuers may have driven up foot-and-mouth compensation, Labour MP Paul Flynn claimed.

EU officials are now scrutinising the mounting bill, amid warnings from professional livestock valuers that the system was open to abuse.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, August 09, 2001