Margaret Beckett put movement controls in place

Restrictions on moving sheep will remain in place although sheep from other areas will be allowed to be brought in.

Mr Jones had said he was "extremely unhappy" that tight restrictions, which came into force on Wednesday, would affect animal movements right across the county.

He said the whole of Powys was being treated as a "high risk" area, even though some areas of the region - particularly north Powys - have been disease-free for months.

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

He set out to persuade Ms Beckett to re-categorise Powys - splitting the county, with Montgomeryshire and Radnor placed in a lesser at risk category.

Mr Jones's meeting in London follows talks held last week between a delegation of Powys politicians and farmers and Lord Whitty, the foot-and-mouth crisis minister.

They urged Lord Whitty to bring in key measures to help farmers in Powys, which has suffered the largest number of virus cases in Wales.

On Wednesday, Mr Jones will insist that the Welsh Assembly's strict test and cull policy around the Brecon Beacons and Crickhowell has worked in limiting the spread of disease.

Strict blood testing will apply to farms in Powys

The minister will urge Mrs Beckett to look at the evidence elsewhere in Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, where blood testing by vets has led to movement restrictions being lifted.

Mr Jones will say that Defra must honour its commitment to repeatedly review the disease status of counties.

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