CRAVEN and parts of the Ribble Valley have moved a step closer to being declared foot and mouth disease free this week.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the lifting of some protection zones in Skipton, Thornton-in-Craven, Bracewell, Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Sawley, Bolton-by-Bowland, West Bradford, Grindleton and Twiston.

This means farmers face a reduced level of animal movement restrictions.

The news follows blood tests which have been carried out in these areas and have been proved negative of disease.

However restrictions will remain on infected premises until cleansing process is completed. It is hoped the whole of the Settle/Clitheroe rectangle will be cleansed and disinfected by the end of December.

In the meantime, the lifting of restrictions means some footpaths are open which is good news for the tourist industry.

A spokesman for DEFRA said the lifting of the three kilometre protection zones around the farms in the listed areas was an important step towards achieving disease free status.

"Once all the protection zones in an area are lifted footpaths can be reopened on Form D premises and the farmers face a reduced level of movement restriction.

"When all protection zones across an infected area (ie from Clitheroe/Settle through to Whitby) are cleared it can go from 'Infected Area' status to 'High Risk County Status'.

"When all the protection zones are clear and there has been no disease for 30 days the status drops to that of an 'At Risk County', requiring less strenuous movement restrictions.

"'Disease Free County' status can be achieved if there have been no outbreaks for three months and blood tests in the wider 10 kilometre surveillance zones is completed. Footpaths would have to remain closed on premises which are still restocking but this would be the sole restriction."

She stipulated that reaching disease free status depended on bio-security remaining tight and there being no new cases of disease.

In the remaining areas, once blood testing is complete, secondary cleansing can be finished and farms certified as clean. The farmers can then decide whether to restock. This can be after 21 days with sentinel (or test) animals, or after four months with permanent stock.

Dr Nafees Meah, operations director for DEFRA, said: "Obviously many footpaths and bridleways outside the protection zones have been opened and will remain open. Others can be opened even on farms where restrictions remain after a DEFRA vet has carried out a risk assessment.

"The earliest date when the remaining footpaths and bridleways could start to be reopened, providing everything runs to schedule, will be the beginning of February 2002, and the latest, the end of April."

If a farmer does not clean and disinfect his premises vets can place a 12 month restriction period on the farm.

Representatives from the business and farming community and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have agreed to work together to identify key footpaths and bridleways that could help the recovery of the area.

Rachel Mann, chief executive of Craven District Council, welcomed the news. "We have always emphasised the importance of being honest with our local communities about when we may be able to resume some sense or normality.

"From the plan it looks as though all footpaths and bridleways may be able to be open for Easter. However, this depends on everything falling into place and we will want to keep things under close review."

In the meantime, walkers are asked to contact their nearest tourist information or national park centre to see which rights of way are open before taking to the countryside.