I welcome this chance to write in the Tavistock Times Gazette — and to answer questions the paper has put to me — about this dreadful foot and mouth outbreak and what the Government can do to help Devon now and in the future.

This paper is, I know, an important voice for West Devon and that role can never be more important than now.

These are very dark days for this whole community. Scores of farmers across Devon have already experienced the nightmare of seeing their animals and livelihood destroyed. Many more are living in a state of dread and fear about whether their farm will be next.

I know as well that the heartache and despair goes well beyond farming. Many other businesses — including tourism which is so vital for this whole area — are suffering badly because of the steps taken in the battle against foot and mouth.

I heard first-hand about the pain and fear when I travelled to Devon to meet farmers, tourism and community leaders on Saturday. There was criticism, too, but coupled with an understanding of the scale of the task we all faced in tackling this disease.

But what most struck me was the fierce determination from everyone at the meeting to work together to overcome this crisis.

I gave my word at Saturday's meeting — and give it again today — that whatever was needed to contain this outbreak and to eliminate it as quickly as possible would be done.

I have said to everyone involved in Government that there are no cost or resource constraints whatsoever. If our experts both at MAFF and on the ground, for instance, say there is a bigger role for the Army, the manpower will be provided immediately.

I also promised that I would personally ensure that we cut through red tape delaying the diagnosis, slaughter or the destruction of carcasses. I believe that has already begun.

I wish I could say the worst is over or that we are close to the end of this crisis. But though I believe the measures we are taking are the right ones — and we won't hesitate to do more if that's what our expert advisers recommend — I fear it will be a long haul.

Nothing is more important in the short-term than eradicating this disease. That's the most important thing we can do for farming and for the wider rural community.

But livestock farmers also need both immediate help now and to rebuild their farms in the future. That support is and will be provided.

We have already agreed £150-million in compensation for slaughtered animals. The full market cost of animals is met. We are trying to speed up payments as quickly as possible.

We have now gone further. The movement restrictions on animals imposed immediately foot and mouth was found are also causing hardship for farmers whether they are inside or outside infected areas.

So we have launched a new compensation scheme for animals which have to be slaughtered on welfare grounds. It is only the second time such a scheme has operated in this country and was first used to help farmers struggling to overcome last year's swine fever outbreak.

In all, we have put in an extra £450-million already to help the livestock industry. But I accept this won't be enough and, if more is needed, it will be provided.

But much more will have to be done to build a long-term secure future for livestock farmers when this immediate crisis is over.

I have told farmers and their leaders that I will sit down with them to work out what is needed to help them rebuild their farms and this vitally important industry.

I also realise that tourism — along with other rural businesses — is suffering badly. I heard on Saturday from a hotel owner on Dartmoor who told me how visitors had all but disappeared because of foot and mouth.

We will do all we reasonably can to help. We have set up the Rural Task Force and have already accepted their initial recommendations. They — and I — are also looking urgently at what else can be done.

But the greatest help we can give tourism and the rural community is also the top priority for farming and for this Government: to stamp out this outbreak.

And when that happens farming and Devon will need our support and help. I can promise we will not walk away.