The Vale of York has suffered its first confirmed case of foot and mouth.
The Ministry of Agriculture said this afternoon that the disease was affecting cattle at Park Hill Farm at Danby Wiske, near Northallerton.
"Investigations are under way to identify the possible source and spread of the infection," said a spokesman. Previous cases in North Yorkshire have all been high up in the Hawes area.
National Farmers' Union spokesman Rob Simpson said: "It's very depressing news. Farmers are going to be extremely worried. This case is some 25 to 30 miles from the nearest other confirmed case - the question is: how did it spread? That is what they will be investigating."
Updated: 14:47 Tuesday, March 27, 2001
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