BUTCHER'S shops across the region face closure within a week if the blanket ban on animal movement continues.

Panic buying has already led to some shops running out of meat and many are expected to close this weekend as wholesale meat suppliers run dry.

Wholesale meat company Cleveland Meat was believed to have already run out on Wednesday.

But relief could be in sight. This weekend the government is expected to approve the emergency transportation of prime stock to certain small and large abattoirs.

All movements will operate under strict veterinary control and smaller vehicles will need to be specially licensed under agreed emergency protocols.

Approved animals could start moving again as early as next week to keep local shops and supermarkets stocked.

Mr Len Chamberlain, regional information officer for the Meat and Livestock Commission, believed the outbreak could spell good news for the future.

He said: "The minister for agriculture has said he will look at the impact that abattoir closures have had upon the crisis once it is all over.

"That could pave the way for a return to small local abattoirs.

"In the interim the government are looking at emergency measures to transport prime animals under controlled conditions laid down by the chief veterinary officer.

"We hope these proposals will be approved this weekend to get animals moving again by early next week."

Asda, Tesco and Safeway supermarkets report they have at least another two weeks' supply of British meat.

But once stocks are gone they will begin importing meat to keep shelves stocked.

The National Beef Association (NBA) said that was already happening as hundreds of retailers and caterers buy in Irish, German and Dutch beef.

Mr Robert Foster, NBA chief executive said: "If substantial numbers of British prime cattle cannot be transported after the end of this week, the British beef farmer and a wide range of British abattoirs will lose customers to imported meat.

Mr Charles Jackson, secretary of Darlington & District Butcher's Association blamed the outbreak on the forced shutdown of small local abattoirs.

He said: "I blame the then Ministry of Food for shutting down all the small abattoirs.

"Animals now travel hundreds of miles to large slaughter houses which increases contamination and spreads disease.

"Butcher shops in the York district say will be closed within the next week or so.

"The same applies here. At this rate the whole country's butcher shops will be closed shortly unless we all start selling fruit and veg."

Mr Dirk Pittaway in Darlington, who rears his own lambs and cattle to sell, claimed supplies will start dwindling soon.

Pittaway butcher Mr Roy Brownless, rememberd the first outbreak.

"It was more contained during the sixties," he said. "In those days meat was slaughtered locally and used locally.

"Now everything is moved about more giving more chance for diseases like foot-and-mouth to spread quickly."

Mr George Bolam of Bolam Meat and Wholesale, also expects stocks to run out by tomorrow.

He said: "If the government lift the restriction on farm to slaughterhouse we can start slaughtering again, but if they don't we will just have to sit and wait."

But Mr Duncan Haigh, president of the Northallerton Butchers' Association was cautious over lifting restrictions too soon.

He said: "We want to nip this disease in the bud as quickly as possible and people need to be very sensible about it all.

"If they open Thirsk, Great Ayton and Kilburn slaughter houses, I hope the meat only goes to supply local butchers."

Supermarkets will continue to import meat from the Republic of Ireland until a ban is imposed.

Yesterday's confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Northern Ireland could affect the Republic of Ireland if the disease spreads South.

But supermarkets guarantee their shelves will remain stocked.

A spokesman for Asda, said: "Buying meat from the Republic of Ireland is still an option.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation but if an export ban is imposed we will look elsewhere in Europe.

"We guarantee we will not run out of meat but various cuts of meat may be unavailable until the crisis ends."