THE foot and mouth crisis spread round the world today with uproar in Europe and a ban imposed on all livestock exports from the EU to the USA and Canada. In Britain, the number of confirmed outbreaks passed the 200 mark and the first confirmed case in France caused ripples across the continent.

In London, two task forces set up by the government to tackle the impact on both farming and other rural businesses were having their first meetings and Prime Minister Tony Blair declared: "It is essential to tackle the widespread economic damage which is happening to businesses far removed from the farm gate."

Developments include:

Britain has been accused of being "the leper of Europe" in Belgium for spreading the disease so soon after the BSE scandal.

County councillors in Devon and Cornwall are demanding the local government elections due to be held on May 3 be postponed.

The governments of America and Canada announced a ban on all European livestock imports.

NFU Deputy President Tim Bennett was in Strasbourg for a series of talks with MEPs about foot and mouth and other issues. He said: "On top of foot and mouth we have a series of other issues which we are desperately trying to tackle. The Commission's proposals to re-balance the beef market, following a drop in consumption in mainland Europe due to BSE, unfairly penalises British farmers."

And, on a bizarre note, it is reported that farmers in Thailand, anticipating an acute food shortage, are planning to export meat here - crocodile meat!