Farmers blame badgers for the disease spread

North Wales Divisional Veterinary Manager David Pugh said the situation could be "as serious, if not more serious," than the foot-and-mouth spread.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Tony Edwards agreed with claims by farmers that the TB testing programmes had "slipped" because of demands on manpower during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones said the situation was serious but denied that TB posed a threat of foot-and-mouth proportions.

Figures from the assembly show that cases were confirmed in 130 herds across Wales in the first three months of this year - leading to the slaughter of around 800 cattle - compared with 150 cases for the whole of 2000.

As the State Veterinary Service in Wales recruits extra 25 staff to help stem the outbreak, farmers are blaming wildlife such as badgers and foxes for spreading the infection.

Government research into the problem has resulted in 10 trial projects being set up in England, which includes a controversial badger-culling element.

Human infection - very low

No public health risk Different strain in cattle known as Mycobacterium bovis Infection constantly present in cattle Around 30 people treated each year Symptons similar to human form

Farmers in Wales were "furious" at the lack of any cull trials on this side of the border.

As farms neighbouring the infected cattle found in Denbighshire are tested, Mr Pugh, who ordered the cull, warned farmers to take precautions and seek private veterinary tests for any new stock.

Mid Wales is another affected area with cattle movement restrictions reintroduced on 50 farms in Powys.

It has put farming unions on high alert yet again - only last week, the Farmers' Union of Wales gathered at St Asaph to warn farmers about the disease.

The union's Denbighshire and Flintshire officer, S�an Llwyd, said: "It seems we're coming out of one disaster and straight into another."

The Welsh Assembly is now drawing up an interim strategy to combat bovine TB and is rolling out a new blood test procedure which could identify the disease sooner.

In 1997, 55 Welsh herds were hit by TB, but that rose to 150 annually by 2000, according to UK Government figures.

The disease appears to be spreading from traditional hotspots in Gwent and the former Dyfed area.

It seems we're coming out of one disaster and straight into another

Farmers' Union of Wales

Unions said they fear annual cases could soon leap to 4,000 and cost the economy �200m.

Farmers believe foot-and-mouth restrictions which stopped vets entering farms - as well as badger health - have contributed to the rise in reports.

Evan Thomas, the FUW's representative at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "It is extremely worrying as that area had been free of cattle TB for years - it was the cleanest area in Wales.

"Not only is the number rising, but it's spreading."

Fears over the north Wales outbreak comes on the day that rural businesses give Defra 14 days to respond to claims it mishandled the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Powys-based UK Rural Business Campaign is demanding compensation for thousands of tourism and other enterprises.