PARTS of North Yorkshire were today officially declared free of foot and mouth disease.

The DEFRA announcement will mean a relaxation of restrictions on animal movements in some areas of the county.

City of York district and the Selby and Tadcaster area to the south of the county have been pronounced free of the disease.

The move will come as welcome news to farmers hard-hit by strict regulations controlling movement of their animals.

Jonathan Birnie, NFU policy advisor for the North East, said: "It's a good step, and it sets a precedent for splitting counties up.

"Because of the shape of the Selby and Tadcaster area, which juts out into disease-free counties, farms lying next to those borders have been severely restricted.

"It will be much more useful for farmers in the region, and we are very pleased with the decision."

The restrictions have been relaxed to help farmers struggling with the "practical difficulties" of having livestock scattered within a small area.

A DEFRA spokeswoman said: "We have been lobbying to get these areas separated from the rest of North Yorkshire.

"It means that if you want to move animals, you can move them into any disease-free county.

"Farmers still have to apply for a licence, but do not have to have their animals blood tested.

"It is really good news for the areas, although we are reminding farmers cleansing and disinfecting still applies.

"People should not take any risks at all."

Farmers wishing to move animals in the newly-designated disease- free areas must apply for movement licences by calling DEFRA on 0113 230 9541, or visiting the website at www.defra.gov.uk.

Blood tests are no longer required for livestock, although a local DEFRA-appointed vet must still examine the animals before they are transported.

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, October 02, 2001