With 12 confirmed cases of the deadly foot and mouth disease across the country, ministers, farmers and ramblers' organisations are issuing desperate pleas for the public to stay out of the countryside. The government is planning to officially close off public rights of way in rural areas, including Dartmoor, the other national parks and footpaths and bridleways throughout the country.

The epidemic has effectively ruled out a snap April election, as campaiging in the countryside would be "irresponsible". For the same reasons, the Countryside Alliance has postponed until at least early May the huge rally in London planned for March 18.

Agriculture minister Nick Brown told MPs yesterday that measures to protect livestock would continue beyond the present deadline of Friday, although "strictly monitored" movements of animals to slaughterhouses would be allowed in order to protect food supplies.

As the crisis continues so does a growing row over compensation for farmers with Nick Brown apparently ruling out open-ended compensation followed by a later TV interview with the prime minister, Tony Blair, in which he appeared to take a more generous line.

British meat - even sandwiches - have been banned across Europe. Haulage firms, processors and other industries are being hit by the crisis. It is currently unclear what compensation will be avaliable to people other than livestock owners.

The Tories are devoting half of tomorrow's opposition day to a debate on the outbreak.

Horseracing meetings are being cancelled, and even Saturday's Six Nations clash between Wales and Ireland is in doubt as a result of the disease.