March 2, 2001 9:58: A PIG farmer, who was at the centre of the investigation into the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, has spoken of his relief after Government vets gave his farm the all clear.

Ben Boughton, of Amy Lane, Chesham, was told the good news on Monday, ending a week of fear and worry.

But the 74-year-old, who owns Greenway Farm in Great Horwood, near Aylesbury, says the worst is still to come for many farmers who could see their businesses go to the wall.

Mr Boughton, who is a member of the Rural Stress Information Service, which offers help to desperate farmers, said: "The amount of worry for farmers is pretty bad, the worst being financial.

"A lot of pig farmers have come pretty close to the line in recent years. This could put many out of business."

Two weeks ago, more than 100 pigs from Greenway Farm were sent to an abattoir in Brentwood, Essex.

Three days later Mr Boughton's pigs at Brentwood, along with other animals from an Isle of Wight farm, were found to have lesions which were identified as symptoms of foot and mouth.

Mr Boughton was immediately informed and a five mile restriction on the movement of animals from his farm was enforced before Government vets arrived to examine the pigs.

Mr Boughton, who keeps more than 13,000 pigs at Greenway, explained: "I heard there was a suspicion of trouble and I was called later and told there was a problem.

"I was in disbelief that we'd got the disease because our precautions are as near perfect as they can be. However, when it had been confirmed in our pigs we began to get worried. I became quite frightened."

Government vets from the Ministry of Agriculture failed to find any signs of the disease in Mr Boughton's pigs at Greenway Farm and he was given the all clear.

The outbreak of foot and mouth, which affected his animals at Brentwood, was traced to a farm in Northumberland.

Relieved Mr Boughton added: "The farm in Northumberland had sent pigs to Brentwood and it became obvious to me that the source of the infection was not from us but from the farm in Northumberland."

The effects of the foot and mouth outbreak are being felt throughout the Chiltern District.

The Chiltern Society, whose 6,500 members work to conserve the Chilterns, has called off all its walks and cycle rides until the situation surrounding the outbreak is further clarified.

Clive Godden, of Godden's butchers in High Street, Chesham, said customers were bulk buying as the crisis grew.

He said: "We were busier than we expected over the weekend. Customers are stocking up with pork and bacon. It's obviously connected with the outbreak."

James Cox