FARMERS across Yorkshire are calling on the government to narrow down the Foot and Mouth movement restrictions to those areas known to be at real risk.
Their plea came as initial research indicates that more than 360,000 sheep and cattle were due to be traded through local auction marts over the next six weeks as part of the season of autumn sales.
For more than 4,000 local hill farmers in the north, including 2832 in Yorkshire, this is a crucial time of year when animals bred on the hills are moved to lowland areas before the onset of winter.
Not only do the autumn sales represent the main source of income for hill farmers, but with very little grass left on the uplands, thanks to the poor summer weather, there are real environmental and welfare reasons why the animals need moving.
