THE ban on cattle movement may not be enough to stop the spread of foot and mouth says a North-East vet.

Vet Graham Chambers, who works with Blythman and Partners Veterinary Surgeons, based in Northumberland and Tyneside, says once animal movement is stopped, the next worry is if the wind carries the infection to nearby farms.

"The main thing is the disease is airborne.

"We have surgeries in Gosforth and Tyneside and there's no relationship between the different farms that have cases apart from they are neighbours.

"It seems to be spread on the winds, which amazed the ministry when I said I could tell where was getting it next.

"All the people who seemed to be getting it are hauliers, abattoirs and dealers. Obviously, the next stage on is neighbouring farms becoming infected."

As outbreaks increase across the country, fear of the causes of the spread has given rise to rumours that crows and rats can transport the disease.

But Graham Chambers said this is unlikely, as a crow would have to be "slobbered" on by an infected cow to spread it, and rats don't move far in winter.

The weather has added to the problem, as sunlight kills off foot and mouth, while cold weather incubates the disease for an extra 28 days.