THE battle against foot-and-mouth is to be intensified after it was revealed that dozens of farmers were not complying with strict regulations.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) warned that there would be little sympathy for anyone failing to ensure proper bio-security of their farms and vehicles in a 900-square mile "fortress" area of North Yorkshire.

In the first few days since the toughest restrictions yet were imposed, trading standards officers found 43 vehicles and 46 farms not adhering to the bio-security requirements, which govern cleaning, disinfecting and movement of animals.

Nearly 400 checks have been made on vehicles and 677 on farms.

Trading standards officer Graham Venn, who is leading 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 bio-security requirements are likely to be reported for prosecution. By the end of 30 days, it is our intention to ensure that there are no failures."

Laurie Norris, of the NFU, said: "We welcome any steps which will help eradicate this disease.

"There will be little sympathy for any person failing to ensure proper bio-security of their vehicles and on their farms."

Meanwhile, experts received encouraging news when the results of the first 12 blood tests on flocks of sheep came back negative. Up to 50,000 sheep across a large area of North Yorkshire are being tested to assess the extent of the spread of foot-and-mouth, as part of a Government effort to prevent the disease hitting the pig industry in the Vale of York and East Yorkshire.

However, three new cases were confirmed in North Yorkshire yesterday, at Middle Farm, Lythe, near Whitby, Glenside Farm at Kepwick, and Sandhill Farm at Bagby, both near Thirsk. The UK's only cases, they brought the national total to 1,931.

Read more about foot-and-mouth here.