RUMOURS that MAFF is preparing for a post -election cull of livestock in Devon are completely unfounded, the ministry's director of foot and mouth operations Peter Greig-Smith said this week.

People have been concerned that a widespread slaughter is on the cards because of trucks parked in Okehampton and Hatherleigh, rumours of stockpiles of straw, railway sleepers and coal and of hotel bookings for ministry officials.

But Dr Greig-Smith said the allegations were not based in fact: 'Certain parties are continuing to make allegations, causing concern and unnecessary distress to communities in the

region.

'Rumours of preparations for a mass cull are completely unfounded.'

Current vehicle numbers exceeded the ministry's requirement, he said, and it was anticipated that the numbers would be cut down to 11 by the end of the week. Army personnel had been reduced from 337 to 72 and numbers would continue to fall in line with cases of foot and mouth.

The ministry is currently conducting a blood-testing programme on Dartmoor and in infected areas which it hopes will lead to foot and mouth restrictions being lifted.

A spokesman for MAFF said because there was quite a lot of activity on farms at the moment, people were getting the wrong impression that there was something more sinister going on.

'As soon as they see a MAFF official people become concerned but we have to blood-test to make sure the whole of the area is clear of foot and mouth,' he said.

He added that the vast majority of tests were coming back negative.

Secretary of the Okehampton and Hatherleigh NFU branch Simon Whattler said he could very much see the sense in having some vehicles standing by just in case more outbreaks occurred.

'MAFF say it is contingency planning and I very much hope that it is the case,' he said.

'If I were running the show I would do the same thing, These lorries were very difficult to get hold of in the first place and it wouldn't be sensible to relieve them of their contracts until they are absolutely positive they will not need them again.'

Mr Whattler said it was very much a 'belt and braces' situation where MAFF was making sure it had the resources necessary to deal with more outbreaks.

He said because of the way the foot and mouth crisis had been handled there had unfortunately been a vast undermining of confidence in MAFF and people continued to be suspicious of the ministry.

'I think the sheer magnitude of what has happened over the last few months has given rise to these rumours,' he said.

'We are inclined to believe what we have been told by MAFF and I hope they are being straight with us.'