FOOT and mouth disease has now been confirmed at five farms in Herefordshire, with one suspected case in Monmouthshire.

Although the disease has not yet been confirmed at any farms in the county, it is having a devastating effect on local life with shoppers keeping away from towns and events being cancelled.

A total of 200 cattle and 1,000 sheep were slaughtered at Llangarron and 270 cattle and 650 sheep at Llancloudy.

Footpaths have been closed, school trips and sports matches have been cancelled. Wherever possible work in rural areas has been stopped and Monmouthshire's mobile library service has been suspended.

Gwent Young Farmers' Clubs cancelled all meetings, competitions and gatherings with the situation reviewed on a weekly basis.

The River Wye Elver Fishermen's Association have banned elver fishing on the Wye because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The Association held urgent meetings with landowners because of the situation and agreed to impose the ban.

Traditionally the best time for elvers is the end of March, but the fishermen have decided to be seen to act responsibly to stop the spread of the disease.

Anyone found breaking the ruling will be banned for life from the Association, said Committee member Mr David Powles.

The Farmers' Market due to be held in Monmouth on Wednesday, March 14th, has been postponed because of the situation. However, one of the organisers, Sarah Smith, said that if the situation eased the market may go ahead next week.

The Annual General Meeting of Monmouthshire Show Committee has been postponed because of the foot and mouth crisis. The meeting was due to have been held on March 12th. A new date will be announced in due course.

Monmouth Police have had a number of reports of livestock being moved in contravention of the foot and mouth regularions. Police say they are keeping a visible presence in the area and if people spot animal movements they should contact either the Police or local authority.

A link has been provided from Monmouth Town Council's official website to the NFU Wales site to give up to date information on the situation.

Cllr Dermot Downes said the link had been provided by the union so that people could log on without worrying about the usual password.

Mayor Cllr Richard Bond said they were very concerned about the situation which was affecting everyone.

Cllr Tim Buckland said that as a farmer he would ask everyone to stay away from farms. "Keep your dogs away, keep your kids away."

Farmer's wife and Mayoress Cllr Mrs Susan White said people realised the restrictions on farms, but did not also realise that there were a lot of smallholdings in the area facing similar problems. "Stay away from smallholdings too," she said.

"I know it's a cliche but we really need your prayers as wel as keeping away," she said.

Cllr Mrs Eileen Goodrich asked people to contact local authorities if they saw animals straying.

The disease is an acute infectious viral disease causing fever, followed by the development of vesicles (blisters) - chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It is probably more infectious than any other disease affecting animals and spreads rapidly if uncontrolled. Among farm stock, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer are susceptible. Wild and domestic cloven hooved animals and elephants, hedgehogs and rats are also susceptible.

Helplines:

MAFF have set up a helpline for callers wanting general advice on the outbreak at 0845 0504141 (local rate). The line is open between 8 am and 11 pm seven days a week.

The National Assmenbly have also set up lines. they are open from 7 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. the numbers are 029 20825572, 029 20825578 and 029 20825586.

Newspaper aid

SIR Ray Tindle, Chairman of Tindle Newspapers which own The Monmouthshire Beacon, has come to the aid of farmers.

In a letter to The Beacon he says:

"Please make your readers aware that if they are very badly affected personally and require immediate assistance to make ends meet, I have decided to make available up to £250,000 for interest-free loans (where banks cannot help) or outright grants in cases of extreme hardship.

"Any such requests should go to the newspaper concerned in the first instance. The paper's general manager and editor will, if they approve the request, immediately pass it on to me. No time will be lost in giving a response - the whole point is to help now.

"I shall not at this stage launch a fund or seek contributions from readers or others. If, however, the demand from our areas is greater than the quarter of a million I have mentioned, we'll review the situation and may consider through our columns appealing o others to give direct help by loan or donation to those in real trouble as the result of this disastrous outbreak."

Sir Ray welcomed the news that the Government is to make substantial sums available to assist farmers in trouble as the result of the current outbreak.

"Nevertheless in our circulation areas there will be those small, independent and old-established family businesses (as this newspaper is) who are badly hit on a personal level but are not covered by these Government payouts. And even those who are covered may have an immediate problem which rears its head and brings disaster before official cash can be made available."