NFU President Ben Gill paid tribute to Britain's farmers on this week's first anniversary of the catastrophic outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

But he said it was a travesty that the Government had still done little to tighten controls on illegal imports.

The first of what was to total 2,030 cases was identified on Wednesday, February 20, 2001, and the first UK outbreak for more than 30 years became the world's worst foot-and-mouth epidemic in modern times.

The North of England was the hardest hit region. In Cumbria 893 farms were infected; in North Yorkshire 133; Northumberland 88; County Durham 85; Darlington eight; Newcastle six and Stockton four.

Speaking on the eve of the anniversary Mr Gill, who farms at Easingwold, said the outbreak had demonstrated the amazing resilience and courage of Britain's farmers.

"That more than a thousand have found the will to try to resurrect their businesses in some shape or form is testament to this determination," he said, adding that a further 7,000 were now eligible to do the same.

"It has been a year of unparalleled suffering in the farming community but also of unparalleled courage and spirit."

There was a need for continued caution through the lambing period, but, with that hurdle cleared, farmers would expect the remaining controls to be reviewed and removed as soon as possible.

The country has now been recognised as clear of the disease by both European and world authorities. Domestic restrictions on movements were reduced this month, including this week's re-opening of the first livestock markets.

Mr Gill said: "Our goal now is to stop this from ever happening again by ensuring that the country's controls to prevent illegal imports are brought up to scratch. It is a travesty that, one year on, the situation has not markedly improved.