FARMERS are cautiously looking forward to a prosperous New Year after Yorkshire was declared foot and mouth free on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.

But they are also being warned to remain vigilant with biosecurity because whilst Yorkshire, County Durham and Cumbria have been declared disease free, Northumbria is still 'at risk.'

And Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, (Con, Ilkley), has urged farmers to continue their fight for a public inquiry.

She said: "Obviously this is good news of sorts but I have my concerns that the Government won't give into the uproar towards a public inquiry.

"There is no guarantee that contiguous culling was necessary, foot and mouth could come back and they say vaccination isn't the right way to go, but won't tell us why.

"I want to know what the government have got to hide."

Tony Bowey, Wharfedale Group Secretary for the National Farmers Union, is optimistic but cautious.

"We are absolutely ecstatic that the area is disease free but there are still licensing agreements and it isn't like we are back to how we were before the disease began.

"We are extremely pleased that the three months is up and we've beaten foot and mouth."

Nafees Meah DEFRA's Regional Operations Director for Yorkshire, said: "This is the best New Year present we could give to farmers and the rural community.

"To get here has demanded a massive surveillance and testing operation, which has required great patience from all concerned.

"Our role now is to continue to assist those farmers who are still recovering from the impact of the outbreak.

"It is now time for everyone involved in agriculture in the region to look to the future and to try and build a viable and prosperous industry."

Addingham farmer Stanley Flesher, who writes a column for Wharfedale Newspapers, is also cautious about the future.

He said: "It is good news but things won't be all that different.

"There is still so much red tape and paper work and farming isn't like it used to be.

"I don't think farmers will pack up, but I think that things will be very different from now on."

l