THE movement of animals in Herefordshire is to remain severely restricted throughout the autumn after it was classed as a "high risk" area for foot-and-mouth disease.

Ministers have placed Worcestershire in the lower "at risk" category - giving farmers slightly more freedom.

But the movement of livestock to counties which are classed as being free of the disease will still be banned.

Blood tests

Cattle, pigs and sheep will be allowed to move within the county and to the areas of the UK which are in the same "at risk" category, subject to inspection by vets or blood tests.

In Herefordshire, only limited movement - within that county alone - will be allowed. No movement to other areas will be allowed, except in "exceptional circumstances".

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett said she understood autumn was a very busy time for the farming industry.

"We can't risk the disease flaring up and emerging in new areas or re-appearing in old ones," she said.

"That's why we've concluded it's only possible to restart the commercial movement of stock if strict conditions are imposed.

"Clearly any movement of animals poses some risk, but a total standstill on movements would, itself, create severe welfare problems, as well as compounding any existing commercial difficulties.

"It isn't an easy balance to strike."

Mrs Beckett promised to continue monitoring counties in the "at risk" category to see if their status could be changed to disease-free.

Chairman of Worcestershire NFU, Richard Jordan, said he was still not aware of the full details.

"Whatever the restrictions it still puts a lot of pressure on business," said the Inkberrow farmer.

"I haven't seen the full details yet but there are a lot of little bits and pieces that need to be understood.

"I heard that one said that if we were going to move stock from farm to farm it was better to do it before the beginning of October because of blood testing arrangements."

The restrictions will start to come into force next week.

"Our main priority remains stamping this disease out as quickly as possible so we can start to move back to some degree of normality," said NFU president Ben Gill.

"Farmers want to get back to selling their stock into the market place."