A WENSLEYDALE farmer is angry that footpaths across his land have been reopened when his farm is still under foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Dr Roy Hill owns a smallholding on the edge of Hawes which is covered by a D notice.

He said: "If our D notice was lifted, we would still be anxious about our 15 Hebridean sheep.

"But at least it would be the same rule for everyone."

Dr Hill has written to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and to MP William Hague, to draw their attention to the situation.

A national park spokesman has already admitted Government guidelines on which footpaths should be reopened were confusing.

The advice is that paths six kilometres from infected farms are safe enough to use - although there are no specific guidelines on land covered by a D notice.

Yesterday, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed a D notice imposes a ban on the movement of livestock.

It also requires Dr Hill to disinfect the vehicles visiting his farm, and people who handle animals to change their clothes before leaving.

A spokeswoman said that if walkers stayed away from animals, they would not pose a risk.

She said: "It is a matter of common sense really.

"If walkers ensure they use the disinfectant mats and stay away from all livestock, then they are not a problem."

However, if a vet indicates hikers are a threat to livestock, then a reopened footpath can be closed again.