Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 2,013 - with 118 in Wales Powys - 78 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 21 cases Caerphilly - 2 Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1 Neath Port Talbot -1 Newport - 3

"I am extremly unhappy with the decision," Mr Joens said.

"Our understanding last week was the Powys would be split but apparently now the decision has been changed."

He added: "Powys is one of the largest county areas in England and Wales. The risk of foot-and-mouth disease is concentrated in the southern area of the county. That is why we have in place special measures around the Brecon Beacons and Crickhowell.

"Elsewhere in the county, particularly Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, the State Veterinary Service has undertaken extensive blood testing that has resulted in movement restrictions being lifted...

"To now regard the whole of the county as "high risk" will place added pressures on the farming community of whom many members have made the ultimate sacrifice to prevent further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease."

Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones

"I am disappointed that Defra has failed to acknowledge the particular circumstances of Powys at this time.

"The administration of the National Assembly has pressed for that area of Powys outside of the current infected area to be regarded as "at risk" for the purposes of the autumn movement regime.

"Defra has made a commitment to regularly review the disease status of counties."

Rural Affairs Minister Margaret Beckett outlined details of the precautions, which come into force next week, on Tuesday.

Under the rules the country is divided into three categories - "high risk", "at risk" and "disease-free" - by county.

Counties considered high risk will be subjected to stricter controls than those free of the disease, where restrictions on animal movements will be lessened.

Overall, there will be more movement of livestock, but under very tight controls.

The government described the new regulations as a "compromise" between the welfare needs of animals, and the need to continue fighting the disease.