The York soldier leading the military operation to handle foot and mouth was today set to meet agriculture minister Nick Brown.

Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, who also marshalled the Army's response to the November floods in York, was to meet Mr Brown in Settle, the core of the latest major outbreak of the disease.

The 15 (North East) Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Farquhar, is in charge of livestock disposal across the north of England.

Mr Brown was in the Yorkshire Dales to hold talks with the local branch of the National Farmers' Union, along with police, tourist bosses and council officials in Settle, where the cluster of cases has now reached 18.

He was also due to meet farmers directly affected by the crisis.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture said: "Mr Brown hopes to brief himself on the situation as it is on the ground.

"He wants to satisfy himself that everything that can be done, is being done." Maff said the latest outbreak was confirmed yesterday at Staindale Farm, Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, taking the total to 1,633.

Tim Palmer, National Farmers' Union Skipton group secretary, said: "Our members feel that they have been ignored and that this is not just a blip at the end of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

"This is a major extension to the epidemic."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, May 24, 2001