A North Yorkshire landfill site had been ruled out as a possible burial ground for cattle slaughtered because of foot and mouth.

The pit, close to York Handmade Brick at Alne, near Easingwold, was ruled out despite getting a green light from the Environment Agency, which said that any burials there would not affect local becks and water courses.

The site was one of hundreds to be surveyed across the county as the former Ministry of Agriculture searched for sites to use as contingency burial grounds if there was a major new flare-up of foot and mouth.

A spokesman for the revamped ministry, DEFRA, said: "The brickworks site was ruled out because other sites were deemed more suitable. It did receive the okay from the Environment Agency, but there were many other factors to consider, most obviously the better suitability of other sites."

David Armitage, chairman of York Handmade Brick, said today: "We are very pleased to have the position clarified, and pleased also that there will not be burial of animals here in Alne."

Meanwhile, the head of North Yorkshire's team fighting foot and mouth has joined national calls for compensation for its work.

Gordon Gresty, director of business and consumer services at the county council, has backed demands by the national Trading Standards Institute.

It has urged the Government to launch an immediate public inquiry into the crisis and set up a disaster contingency fund to recompense trading standards departments for costs in tackling the disease.

Mr Gresty said: "Unfortunately, we are still right in the middle of foot and mouth in North Yorkshire, but I support the call for an inquiry and we would wish to contribute to that."

* The latest DEFRA update included new foot and mouth cases at Thornflat Farm, East Harsley, Northallerton; Harsley Castle, West Harsley, Northallerton; and Highgate, Gargrave, near Skipton.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, June 13, 2001