THE FIGHT to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth gained a new weapon when North Yorkshire County Council was granted a licence to operate a vehicle decontamination unit, one of the first in the area.

The county council depot in Boroughbridge Road, Northallerton was granted the licence by the Meat and Livestock Commission.

For the farming community the unit will play a key part in the crisis. Before a farmer can move animals which are not sick, and after obtaining a movement licence from MAFF, he must have his vehicle steam cleaned and disinfected inside and out by a licensed operator.

Once cleansed and disinfected, the vehicle will be sealed. Only an attending veterinary inspector can remove the seal.

After each journey the vehicle has to go through the decontamination unit again.

The service will cost £25 for each small vehicle and £50 for a vehicle the size of a cattle transporter. To book an appointment operators must ring 01609 780780, ext 3284.

Mr Mike Moore, director of environmental services for North Yorkshire County Council, said: "It is unfortunate that the county council has to charge anything for this service, but in doing so we are only recovering our costs."

l The NFU this week appealed to the army and owners of approved vehicle disinfecting centres to open them to hauliers and farmers needing to transport animals.

Anyone who can help should contact the Meat and Livestock Commission on 01908 844 794