A LOCAL NFU branch secretary has dismissed rumours of a mass cull of livestock in Teesdale once the general election is over.

Mr Phil Barber agreed that rumours of MAFF vets booking accommodation all over the area were spreading like wildfire. "I understand there have been a few rooms booked, but that is to enable vets to carry out blood testing on the spot rather than travelling miles," he said. "There is no sinister plot, and I don't think the ministry would have the resources at the moment."

As an example of MAFF easing off, rather than stepping up, its culling programme he said the army at Newcastle was to be stood down later this month.

Some 20 campaigners from Tow Law protested peacefully outside MAFF's disease control centre at Kenton Bar on Wednesday to show solidarity with protesters from across the country who had called for a day of action to demand the closure of mass burial sites. Two of the campaigners were invited into the centre to discuss their concerns with officials, who said they were keen to maintain dialogue over the town's Inkerman site.

Mr Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency also attracted protesters as farmers from across the North staged a symbolic funeral for stock culled during the epidemic.

Organiser Elli Logan of Stop Animal Deaths, Cumbria, told those gathered outside St Edmund's church that the cull of healthy livestock was a disgrace. "We think the cull could be a springboard for what happens next," she said.

There has been one outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Co Durham this week, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 92. Mr John Archer, who runs New Moor Farm at Walworth Gate with his father, Robert, had the disease confirmed on Sunday. He lost more than 450 cattle. Three other farms were treated as contiguous contacts.

Mr Charlie Moir, North-East divisional veterinary manager for MAFF, tried to ease public concern that deer at Raby Castle might be harbouring the disease.

"We are carrying out regular inspections and there is no sign that foot-and-mouth is present," he said. "Even if it were, there is only a low risk that the deer would pass on the disease." If a test did prove positive, an epidemiological assessment, in consultation with wildlife and deer experts, would indicate any further action and if any culling was needed.

Stock on Raby Home Farm was healthy and was being treated in the same way as all other stock.