The National Farmers' Union is estimating that if the foot and mouth outbreak is not brought under control in three months, the cost to the farming and food industry will be three quarters of a billion pounds.

The export ban and the restriction on movements of animals has led to losses totalling an estimated £21 million in the first week and about £38 million if the rest of the supply chain is included.

If these measures last for three months, the cost to the whole industry could be at least £775 million, the NFU said.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Commission has closed all its forests to the public as a precautionary measure to reduce the risks of spreading foot and mouth disease.

In North Yorkshire, these include Bishopwood and Wheldrake Wood, south of York; Dalby and Cropton Forests, near Pickering; Boltby and Kilburn Forests, near Thirsk; Wykeham and Broxa Forests, near Scarborough; and Guisborough Forest in the north of the county.

The closures will be reviewed in two weeks' time.

All footpaths and bridleways in the East Riding that cross agricultural land have also been closed to the public until further notice.

It is expected that most of the special laminated warning notices for footpaths, which have been approved by MAFF, will be put up by the farming community itself.

A number of English Heritage properties in the region are currently closed due to the outbreak and an up-to-date list of these can be found on the website www.english-heritage.org.uk or by phoning 01793 414910.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, March 02, 2001