A GOVERNMENT Minister has weighed into the controversy over alleged breaches of foot and mouth rules at a North Yorkshire grouse shoot.

Trading standards officers had to move staff away from vital tasks in the county's Thirsk-centred bio-security zone to check on complaints that a shoot on Grassington Moor had failed to follow footpath rules.

The North Yorkshire County Council officials have now compiled a report and submitted it to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with a request for it to consider taking action.

A spokesman said other shoots had been checked but no problems identified.

Now Animal Health Minister Elliot Morley has stepped in, saying: "DEFRA is aware of allegations made regarding poor bio-security at a grouse shoot in North Yorkshire.

"The department is looking into these in concert with the local authority.

"If anyone has information relating to these allegations, they should pass it on to DEFRA or the North Yorkshire County Council trading standards department.

"Bio-security is a vital issue in preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease.

"In any case where there is sufficient evidence that licence conditions have not been complied with, DEFRA will not hesitate to take appropriate action, including suspension or revocation of the licence."

Meanwhile, about 250 sheep are being slaughtered at a farm at Addingham, near Ilkley, after foot and mouth was confirmed.

Updated: 11:17 Friday, August 17, 2001