THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today urged people not to panic about the deepening foot and mouth crisis in East Lancashire.
The crisis has started to affect local businesses and supermarkets who are increasing stocks of foreign meat because of fear of a shortage of British meat.
A spokesman for the MAFF said: "There is no need for panic buying as normal patterns of meat supply are being maintained.
"The industry says food supplies are adequate and 50 per cent of meat eaten in the UK is poultry, the supply of which is unaffected by the disease."
Rob Paul, MAFF's divisional veterinary manager said all confirmed cases, apart from one, were being linked to the country's very first outbreak in Northumberland.
Wycoller Country Park, near Colne, has closed in a bid to protect wildlife.
The Blackburn and District Bird Club is cancelling all outdoor meetings and surveys.
Club chairman Jim Bonner said the urgency of the situation made it imperative the club did nothing to encourage people to go into areas where they may unwittingly spread the virus.
PRECAUTIONS: Wycoller Country Park, near Colne, has been closed
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