Foot and mouth crisis getting worse

The ban on the movement of farm animals in the UK is to stay in force until at least mid-March, though attempts will be made to get animals to slaughter.

A growing number of sporting events have been cancelled as a result of the foot and mouth crisis, including Saturday's Ireland-Wales Six Nations rugby international, the Welsh and Cumbrian Rallies and - for the next seven days - all racing and greyhound racing.

In a message on the internet, Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged people to stay away from farmland.

The Department of Agriculture has set up a number of helplines which will operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and 9am to 1pm on Sunday. To assist which specific queries on the current situation. The phone numbers are as follows:

Milk and Milk products [phone]

Pigmeat and Pigmeat products [phone]

Meat and Meat products [phone]

Live animals [phone]

Products general [phone]