FARMERS in North Yorkshire have been told that restrictions in some of the worst affected areas under the foot and mouth scourge are to be lifted.

Rural affairs ministry DEFRA announced today that protection zones around Danby Wiske, Westerdale, Upper Wensleydale and Lower Ribbensdale zone one have been lifted.

The news, which has been welcomed by North Yorkshire farming leaders, means movement restrictions are to be reduced for the farms in these areas.

DEFRA also said blood sampling of sheep, and clinical inspections of all susceptible livestock within other protection zones, will continue, to ensure there are no undetected pockets of the disease remaining.

Derek Watson, chairman of the Yorkshire County NFU, said the announcement was the first step towards ridding the UK of the disease.

"For the farmers in those areas it is excellent news - these were once closed as infected areas but now they have the ability to move their livestock around other areas in North Yokrshire," he said.

"This decision proves that the blood tests which have been carried out in these areas have come back clean.

"It is still vital however for farmers to remain vigilant and keep up bio-security measures to prevent any further outbreaks."

But farmers have angrily condemned a Government decision to press ahead with cutting foot and mouth compensation payments. DEFRA minister Lord Whitty confirmed that new payment rates will apply from today.

The scheme was set up in March to encourage the disposal of animals whose welfare was compromised by the movement restrictions.

National Farmers' Union president Ben Gill said: "The whole industry united to condemn these cuts. But these pleas have simply been ignored.

"That DEFRA has gone ahead, knowing full well the desperate impact this will have on producers with a long winter ahead, shows a heartless disregard for the state of thousands of farmers."

As of midnight, there will be new flat rates, including £350 for breeding cows and heifers, and £30 per head for breeding ewes. The scheme is due to end on December 31.

Updated: 11:16 Tuesday, October 30, 2001