Farmers were today urged not to drop their guard following a fresh outbreak of foot and mouth disease in North Yorkshire.
Four new cases were diagnosed at the weekend in the Settle area, bringing the total to 15 in just ten days. Tim Palmer, group secretary of the Craven National Farmers' Union, said: "The speed with which it is spreading is worrying. It is jumping about in leaps and bounds quite a long way from the initial nucleus.
"The question now is how far will it jump. We have held our breath and hoped it wouldn't come here but now farmers know the storm is going to hit us.
"Farmers must redouble their efforts and be on their guard."
Updated: 15:43 Monday, May 21, 2001
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