THE 19th case of foot and mouth in the Settle area was confirmed at Coniston Cold, near Skipton, yesterday - one of only two cases reported nationally - giving rise to hopes that from the countrywide perspective, the disease might be coming under control.

Such hopes, however, were being viewed with suspicion in the Craven Dales, despite a stormy meeting in Settle yesterday between Agriculture Minister Nick Brown and local farmers, business people and councillors.

In the badly affected areas around Malham, farmers expressed disgust that Mr Brown did not go personally to witness their plight. But the Minister's arrival coincided with a huge build up of vets, MAFF workers and some 200 soldiers on constant standby to get to any new outbreak in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority issued a statement pointing out that large areas of the park were still open for business - and also a demanding that the next Government, whichever party wins the general election, should make restoring the rural economy an immediate priority.

David Butterworth, the park chief executive, said: "There is no doubt that the current situation in the south west of the National Park is grave. This latest outbreak will hit both the farming community and the tourist industries hard. At this time we all need to keep our guard up, act responsibly and respect the restrictions that are currently in place."

But he pointed out that away from the new outbreak, the park has opened a limited number of footpaths and bridleways that will not bring the public into contact with livestock. If a right of way is clearly marked with a green open sign the public can use it - if not it must not be used.

"There is a perception that the national park is under siege, yes there are restrictions and there are limits to what the public can do, yet as long as people act responsibly there is still a lot they can enjoy in the National Park," said Mr Butterworth.

In a further development, the national Park Authority will be calling on the next Government, as a matter of priority, to invest money and resources into rebuilding public confidence in the countryside.

Mr Butterworth said: "National parks are special places for the nation to enjoy. Foot and mouth has caused a crisis in public confidence in these areas. This area's economy is based on small scale and independent farming and tourist enterprises.

"These industries do not have the resources of a multi-national corporation and, if they are to survive, the public's confidence in this area, and the nation's countryside as a whole, will have to be rebuilt. A failure to address this issue will leave this area without the visitors on which it depends for its survival, and without the visitors for which National Parks were created for some fifty years ago."

For further information on what the public can do in the National Park, the Authority's National Park Centres are open seven days a week, with staff on hand to tell the public what is still on offer and provide information about the many attractions and events they can visit or take part in throughout the area. The Authority's seven National Park Centres are in Sedbergh, Aysgarth Falls, Clapham, Grassington, Hawes, Malham and Reeth.