It was relief this week for two West Devon farmers whose animals have been cleared of suffering from foot and mouth disease.

John Dawe, of Burns Hall, Chillaton, and Ed Vigers, of Stowford Grange Farm, Lewdown, each had restriction orders placed on their farms after animals were suspected of having contracted foot and mouth. Mr Dawe called in the Ministry of Agriculture after suspicions about some rams, while Mr Vigers alerted officials after a pig was discovered with an ulcerated mouth. But after each farm was cordoned off by police and the Ministry for more than a week, they have now been given the all-clear.

Mr Dawe said: 'It was too close for comfort. It was like playing a marathon game of poker, waiting for the virus to show its hand, but in the end it was okay.' But he criticised the Ministry for the delay in letting him know he was not affected. 'The vet was pretty sure after two days that we were all right, but it was 10 days before we got official confirmation.'

Mr Dawe has 350 cattle and 1,000 ewes on his farm, and he has written to MP John Burnett complaining about the lack of compensation. 'I had to throw away nine days' worth of milk production at £200 a day, and because we don't have the disease there's no compensation.'

For Ed Vigers the agony lasted nine days, but although he is clear of foot and mouth the problems remain. 'I've got 500 pigs, 150 beef cattle and 300 sheep, and we can't move them.

I've got 100 pigs ready to go now, but I've no idea when we will be able to move them. The real problem was not knowing what was happening for

nine days.'

Mr Vigers' sister, Fiona, was also affected by the sudden restrictions placed on the farm. She went to work at Alder Sports on the morning— and was not allowed to return. 'I only had the clothes I went to work in. I stayed with some friends who had a spare bed. I had to buy one or two things but I did a lot of washing!'

Miss Vigers is also chair of Devon Young Farmers, and she criticised the Ministry's national helpline for not giving enough information. 'It's not a great deal of help,' she said. 'Many of our members have told me they have had no help whatsoever.

'We have cancelled out Young Farmers events and meetings because of the outbreak, but that means a valuable support network of information is missing locally.

'I know it's very difficult for the Ministry but they have only just got factsheets out and we are three or four weeks into the outbreak. They are not communicating as much as they should be.'