The Bishop of Bradford today called on the nation's senior politicians to stop sidelining the foot-and-mouth crisis in the run-up to the General Election.

The Right Reverend David Smith has visited farmers in the Settle and Skipton areas where a rash of outbreaks of the disease have occurred. He made his comments as Coniston Cold farmer Joe Coates today awaited the slaughter of his 160 milking cows, the latest victims of the epidemic.

Mr Coates, 65, a tenant farmer at Pot Hall farm is the father of David Coates, whose 215 cows, 550 ewes and 950 lambs were slaughtered on Sunday at Haughfield Farm, Coniston Cold.

The Bishop urged people to show solidarity with the rural communities by visiting villages, having a meal or staying in a rural pub.

He also challenged senior politicians to visit the stricken area to listen to the voices of distress.

He said it was a moral and humanitarian issue, not a party political problem.

"Foot and mouth must not be soft pedalled or swept under the carpet because an election period is an inconvenient time.

"Coverage of the run-up to the General Election understandably dominates the news, but this must not be allowed to sideline the real suffering of families and the plight of those whose livelihood is from working in shops, pubs, tourism and other country businesses."

"The countryside we so much admire and enjoy will quickly deteriorate if it is not farmed.

"Rural industries may go out of business forever if visitors stay away from our villages," he added.

John Henderson, who owns 1,500 acres in the area and share farms with David Coates, fears more than 3,000 animals are facing slaughter in the next few days.

"I've done a quick calculation and reckon between 600 and 700 milking cows, between 500 and 600 beef cattle and 2,000 sheep and lambs will have to be slaughtered.

"This is just the start. I believe it will be as big as the outbreaks in Cumbria and Devon."

More livestock on another of his farms were being tested and if they were positive, animals on neighbouring farms would be under threat.

"My neighbours are waiting with bated breath for the tests and if they are confirmed, they will be taken out. It's a leap-frog effect.

"I belief this disease is rife - we are just holding our breath and hoping for the best."

Craven district councillor Stephen Butcher, who farms at Fleets Farm, Rylstone, said: "This is a horrifying situation. We are all right at present but we feel besieged."

A Ministry spokesman said: "This outbreak could be three weeks old. We believe some sheep could have been carrying if for weeks rather than days."