Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide1,141 - with 67 in Wales Powys - 38 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 15 cases Caerphilly - 1 case Total animals slaughtered in Wales 81,080

But farming union leaders have said that those with businesses unaffected by the disease are suffering just as hard as those whose flocks have been devastated.

They explained that restrictions on the industry have left many who are farming outside the infected areas without any income.

Leading members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Wales are due to meet the Welsh Agriculture Minister Carwyn Jones on Wednesday.

Their meeting comes as the total number of cases confirmed in Wales stands at 67 - with 38 in Powys, 13 on Anglesey, 15 in Monmouthshire, and one in Caerphilly.

The latest cases to be notified are at a farm in Plasdwpa, Berriew, Welshpool, and at a sheep farm at Cwmyoy, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

Police have been on duty it Epynt in case of problems

NFU and Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) members plan to tell Mr Jones that farmers across the industry need immediate support.

The FUW has called for additional compensation to cover other losses as a result of the outbreak.

"Compensation for the market value of slaughtered animals is all very well and good but there is no sign of the Government helping farmers through the difficult barren times ahead until they can re-stock," said FUW deputy policy director Arwyn Owen.

The unions are also highlighting the point that although compensation payments are considered to be generous, those farmers who have had to surrender animals for slaughter will have no money coming in until they manage to restock.

Mr Jones will be told that farmers in areas so far free from the disease are facing severe hardship too.

Digger prepares a burial pit in Epynt

Costs of supplies and services are said to be spiralling and restrictions on movement of animals for sale and slaughter are leading to severe cash flow problems.

Protesters at the Epynt mountain range in mid Wales, are continuing a demonstration against the mass burial of culled livestock.

The Environment Agency has confirmed to the Welsh Assembly's agriculture committee that a borehole on the Eppynt has been contminated with run-in from the disposal pit.

The contamination was discovered late last night and the committee has been told that the work had been done through the night to ensure that the hole is pumped clear.

Wales Director Roger Thomas said he was confident that groundwater would not be affected and that there was no need to reassess the initial report.

Meanwhile, in north Wales there is growing optimism that outbreak on Anglesey may have been contained.

Over two weeks since the last case was confirmed on the island, officials have said that some animal movement restrictions there could be lifted in around a month's time.

And providing there were no fresh cases, Snowdonia National Park Chief Executive Iwan Hughes, the reserve would be completely re-opened in early summer.