CIVIC leaders in a part of the region devastated by the foot-and-mouth epidemic are demanding the Government draws up a single national plan for disease control.

As Dr Iain Anderson and his team visit North Yorkshire today as part of their investigation into the lessons to be learnt from the crisis, county council chiefs have warned that intense bio-security measures should be enforced immediately in any future outbreak.

Chief executive Jeremy Walker said: "Our experience highlights the need for a single national plan for disease control to be drawn up, supported by local plans involving all relevant agencies. These could then be tested and updated regularly.

"In handling a disease outbreak, intensive bio-security with strict enforcement is necessary from the outset along with tough controls on animal movements."

The county council made a joint submission to the inquiry together with national park authorities and City of York Council.

They are calling for:

l Advance identification of carcass disposal sites or other means of disposal

l Regular meetings of partners and liaison arrangements

l The need for the farming industry and its representatives to sign up to the plan and support its implementation

* Clear guidance on closures of public footpaths and the use of disinfecting mats.

Gordon Gresty, director of business and community services, said: "The impact of the disease on the wider rural economy was badly underestimated at the beginning of the outbreak.

"The process of reopening footpaths was long and drawn out. In any future outbreak there will be a need to work more closely with tourism and other local interests as well as with the agriculture sector."