VETS at the sharp end of the battle against foot-and-mouth have launched an attack on the Government department handling the crisis.

They have united to condemn the new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for its lack of co-ordination, communication and interpretation - which they claim is adding to the heartache in the countryside.

They also accuse the department of failing to implement effective strategies to maintain the rural economy - and say the Government's failure to implement import controls has exacerbated the situation.

Twenty six rural practices in North Yorkshire have joined forces to demand immediate action. Their representatives put their case to retiring Tory leader, Richmond MP William Hague at the weekend and expect the issue to be raised in the Commons.

They say Defra, which has replaced Maff, "has singularly failed to change anything except its headed notepaper".

Spokesman Paul Roger, a Richmond vet, said: "We see very poor and inefficient organisation and utilisation of manpower, including people."

"This is all costing the country extra money and this all adds to the confusion caused by this emergency."

The vets said that, although there are rigorous restrictions on movements, Defra was still asking county councils to open access to the countryside and suggesting recovery cash may not be forthcoming otherwise.

Last night a Defra spokesman insisted it would "more than happy" to discuss the vets' grievances with them.

"We have done our best under difficult circumstances to keep veterinary practices up to speed," he said.

l The number of confirmed cases in North Yorkshire has reached 114. The latest case, confirmed on Saturday, was at Silton Grange Farm, at Nether Silton near Thirsk, bringing the national total to 1,852.