AN EAST Yorkshire pig farmer has been banned from moving his animals because a wagon visited him after calling at a foot-and-mouth infected farm in Northumberland.

Robert Barker, who farms at Carr Farm, near Wilberfoss, confirmed today he had received the order after a feed wagon called at his business. The wagon was found to have previously visited a farm at Hexham just before foot and mouth was diagnosed there.

The order stops animal movements for 21 days, giving DEFRA vets the chance to check for signs of foot and mouth after its incubation period has run out.

The development comes after DEFRA's strenuous efforts to keep foot and mouth out of the East Yorkshire area, where it could cause major damage to the pig farming industry.

Meanwhile, it was revealed today that the Yorkshire tourist industry has lost £300 million in revenue since the outbreak of the foot and mouth crisis.

The latest figures from the Yorkshire Tourist Board show that the region has lost huge amounts of money from the loss of tourism which brings in £1.7 billion every year. Kay Hyde, speaking on behalf of the York Tourism Bureau, said the figures are concerning, and that although the city of York has benefited by attracting people who would otherwise have gone to the countryside, money has still be lost.

"People are not staying in the city and not spending money. They are just coming for the day and visiting the attractions. They are not using York as a base to explore the region. Shopkeepers and guest house owners are all losing out from this crisis."

Updated: 15:45 Friday, August 31, 2001