AGRICULTURAL show bosses have been presented with the messy problem of getting rid of piles of cattle dung under tough new government rules aimed at preventing a return of foot-and-mouth disease.

Bio-security measures, which ban cowpats from areas on showgrounds where visitors might walk, could mean organisers have to recruit bands of overall-clad helpers armed with buckets, shovels and poop-scoops for a giant clean-up.

Some shows have appealed to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the controls to be relaxed, and the first of several reviews is planned for next month.

Durham County Show, which takes place on July 13 and 14, has cancelled its cattle classes, partly due to the rules but also because the farming community was not ready to return to showing, secretary Christine Duke said yesterday.

The Great Yorkshire Show, the North's biggest agricultural event, will go ahead as planned from Tuesday to Thursday, July 9 to 11.

Horses are not included in the measures, which apply to the areas where cattle are penned and the route taken by the animals from their stalls to the showring.

People will be forbidden to touch susceptible livestock and cattle will have to be isolated for 20 days after attending a show.

Despite this, the Great Yorkshire event is hoping for its normal 1,000 cattle exhibits.

A spokesman said yesterday: "We have employed extra staff for hosing down vehicles and, whatever other measures that need to be taken, we will take.

"There has never been any question whatsoever of cancelling this year's show.

"The farming community has had a dreadful time and this is an opportunity for farmers and country people to come together and wave the flag for British agriculture."

Gordon Dobson, who, as secretary of the Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Society, organises the UK's oldest show, said: "People will abide by the regulations.

"Nobody wants foot-and-mouth back - least of all the farmers.