AN INTENSIVE operation to check vehicles and farms in the special biosecurity area around Thirsk has already had a major impact. Trading standards officers from North Yorkshire, with colleagues from as far afield as Cornwall and Norfolk, have carried out 383 checks on vehicles and 677 on farms.

A total of 43 vehicles and 46 farms were found to fail to comply with biosecurity legislation. Major areas of concern were the failure of farmers to provide foot baths at the entrance to farms and the standard of cleanliness of vehicles leaving and entering farm premises.

Mr Graham Venn, assistant county trading standards officer, who is in charge of the operation, said: "Our checks are revealing a considerable number of infringements. For the first few days, we have been advising farmers and the drivers of vehicles but now we intend to take a harder line.

"Those farmers and the drivers of vehicles who fail to comply with the biosecurity requirements are likely to be reported for prosecution as we are determined to make sure the operation is a success. By the end of 30 days, it is our intention to ensure that there are no failures within the area under patrol."

Miss Laurie Norris of the NFU said: "We welcome any steps which will help eradicate this disease. All farmers will be keen to see that the biosecurity operation is effective. There will be little sympathy for any person deliberately failing to ensure proper biosecurity of their vehicles and on their farms."

Trading standards officers in police vehicles will continue to patrol the area on a 24-hour basis to carry out spot checks without warning.

l The special measures successfully introduced to the Thirsk area were introduced to the Penrith area on Tuesday.

They include requirements for the cleansing and disinfection of all vehicles which leave or visit farms and special measures for milk tankers, feed lorries and machines moving forage and spreading slurry.

In addition, there will also be new licensing requirements for sheep shearing in the Penrith area. Sheep shearing, clipping and dagging operations will need specific licences and may take place and may take place only under veterinary supervision.

This is because the operation of gathering and shearing has been seriously implicated in the spread of foot-and-mouth