DOZENS of farmers and drivers have been caught breaking tough bio-security rules intended to prevent the spread of foot and mouth across North Yorkshire.

During spot checks on 677 farms and 383 vehicles, a total of 46 farms and 43 vehicles were found to be breaching regulations.

In some cases, footbaths were not being provided at farm entrances. In other instances, vehicles leaving farm premises were not being cleaned and disinfected properly.

Now farmers and drivers who continue failing to comply with the legislation are being warned they will be reported for prosecution.

The tight rules were introduced last week in a bid to prevent the foot and mouth hotspot centred around Thirsk spreading across the county and affecting the pig industry of East Yorkshire.

The checks on farms and vehicles have been carried out by North Yorkshire trading standards officers, assisted by colleagues from as far away as Cornwall and Norfolk.

"Our checks are revealing a considerable number of infringements," said Graham Venn, North Yorkshire assistant county trading standards officer, who is in charge of the operation.

"For the first few days, we have been advising farmers and the drivers of vehicles but now we intend to take a harder line.

"Those farmers and the drivers of vehicles who fail to comply with the bio-security requirements are likely to be reported for prosecution, as we are determined to make the operation a success.

" By the end of 30 days, it is our intention to ensure that there are no failures within the area under patrol."

Laurie Norris, of the National Farmers' Union, said there would be little sympathy for any person deliberately failing to impose bio-security of their vehicles and farms.

Meanwhile, a report by EU veterinary inspectors on the Government's handling of the foot and mouth epidemic claimed two months ago that "excessive" compensation payments were made to British farmers, it emerged today.

And the farming supremo appointed by Tony Blair to deal with the aftermath of foot and mouth, Lord Haskins, today said the use of vaccination would have to be considered very carefully if there was a future outbreak.

Another day has passed without a new confirmed foot and mouth case in North Yorkshire. A scare on a farm at Goathland yesterday turned out to be a false alarm, said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

And blood tests on sheep from across parts of the county have continued to prove negative.

Updated: 11:33 Tuesday, August 07, 2001