Farmers and tourist leaders are up in arms over standby plans to use a disused quarry in Ryedale to dispose of foot and mouth infected livestock carcasses.

Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, of Imphal Barracks, York, and MAFF bosses have been looking at the Golden Hill Quarry site, at Marton, near Pickering, as part of contingency plans.

But quarry owner Eric Clark says carcasses will only be burned on the site if the Government forces him to hand it to MAFF and the Army.

MAFF has denied that infected carcasses or slaughtered animals from farms near infected sites will be imported to the quarry.

A spokeswoman said the quarry would only be used in the event of a foot and mouth outbreak in Ryedale.

Kin Binks, who owns the Pheasant Hotel in Harome, said he was "appalled" when he learned of plans for the quarry.

He claims villagers in northern Ryedale would be prepared to protest and block roads if MAFF went ahead with its plans.

"Tourism in this area is only just getting back on its feet and the last thing we need is carcasses being burned here," he said.

"I am very angry they are even thinking of doing this."

Pat Dickinson, who keeps a small number of livestock in Marton, said she was surprised MAFF were considering using the site.

"There is a bit of panic among local farmers here because they are concerned this course of action will spread the disease," she said.

Philip Bell, who manages livestock owned by Habton Farms, in the Sinnington area, said he was shocked at MAFF's latest move.

"The site is only about half a mile away from the river and if infected blood gets into the water table that will spell disaster for local farmers," he said.

"So far, through our best efforts, we have managed to keep the disease out of Ryedale and we want to keep it that way."

Quarry owner Eric Clark said: "I am hardly likely to allow dead animals to be put next to those fields. At the moment, though, I haven't given permission. No way."

A MAFF spokesman said a number of possible sites had been investigated to assist with their Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.

"There is no question of bringing infected carcasses into uninfected areas for disposal," she said.

"One of the sites we have been looking at, which includes Golden Hill quarry, will be used to dispose of carcasses from the local area only if there is an outbreak."

Senior army spokeswoman Allison Potter-Drake said: "This is just in case there is an outbreak in Ryedale - infected carcasses will not be brought in from outside the area," she said.

A spokesman from Ryedale District Council said: "This is part of routine planning, being undertaken in conjunction with a number of other agencies.

"It should not be taken as an indication that any Ryedale site will be used for any purpose."

MAFF has confirmed an outbreak at Crossfields Farm, Aysgarth, near Leyburn - bringing the total number in North Yorkshire to 20.

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, April 24, 2001