Foot-and-mouth disease timeline

Major restrictions are now in place in the countryside

The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has spread to every part of the UK in the past month, resulting in thousands of animals being slaughtered and incinerated.

19 February 2000: An inspection at Cheale Meats abattoir, in Essex, shows "highly suspicious" signs of foot-and-mouth disease in 27 pigs.

21 February 2000: The UK Government bans all exports of live animals, meat and dairy products as another suspected case is found.

The European Commission announces a ban on exports of all live animals and animal products from Britain until 1 March.

22 February 2000: A third case of foot-and-mouth is confirmed at a cattle farm at Great Warley, near Brentwood in Essex.

Checks are carried out in Scotland to discover if the foot-and-mouth outbreak has been transferred north of the border.

Speaking after a meeting with farmers' leaders, Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish describes the outbreak in England as a "bodyblow" to the industry.

23 February 2000: The disease is confirmed at a farm in Northumberland, which investigators believe may be the initial source of the outbreak.

It emerges a pig farm near Fyvie, in Aberdeenshire, is among several in Scotland which have been scrutinised for cases of foot-and-mouth disease.

Scotland's Rural Affairs Minister, Ross Finnie, announces a complete restriction on animal movements in Scotland, as part of the Britain-wide ban prompted by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. It takes effect at 1745GMT.

24 February 2000: The mass slaughter of thousands of pigs and cattle on eight farms across England begins in a bid to wipe out the disease.

Farmers across Scotland are told they will have to wait until Tuesday to learn if foot-and-mouth disease has crossed the border.

Preliminary tests at Fyvie, where the State Veterinary Service has been taking samples, do not uncover any cases of the infection, raising hopes it has escaped the outbreak.

25 February 2000: The Scottish National Party backs calls by Scottish farmers for a ban on all meat imports to the UK following the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease in England.

It emerges a suspected case is under investigation at an abattoir at Gaerwen, near Menai Bridge in Anglesey, north Wales.

26 February 2000: Edinburgh Zoo closes to the public as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Scotland's 700,000 deer are caught up in the scare, and are covered by the movement banning order. Stalking and hunting of deer is banned.

27 February 2000: Mr Finnie says he is considering closing down parts of the Scottish countryside to stop the spread of the crisis.

The European Union announces an extension of the ban on Britain's meat and dairy exports to 9 March.

The number of confirmed outbreaks in England and Wales jumps to 16. All Scotland's national nature reserves, including many popular hillwalking mountains, are closed to the public until further notice.

UK Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announces the halt on livestock movements will be extended for at least another two weeks.

28 February 28: Two farms in Dumfries and Galloway are being tested for possible infection from foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr Finnie tells the Scottish Parliament he is awaiting the results of tests being carried out at Canonbie and Lockerbie.

In Scotland, 41 farms are under supervision because they have links with premises which have been affected by the disease, the Scottish Executive reveals.

Mr Finnie tells MSPs the ban on the movement of livestock in Scotland will be extended on Friday for a further two weeks, although new measures will allow some animals to be sent for slaughter under police escort.

Ross Finnie: "Devastating blow"

Across the UK, the total number of animals which have either been slaughtered or are due to be culled is thought to stand at 11,000.

A total of 102 farms are under restrictions, although 50 are believed to be clear of the disease.

Eight new cases of foot-and-mouth are confirmed, bringing the total in England and Wales to 26.

Parks and footpaths are closed across the country to help prevent the spread of the disease, with the National Trust for Scotland urging its members to stay away from land used by livestock.

In Glasgow, most of Pollok Country Park is sealed off to protect the park's 113 Highland cattle. North Lanarkshire Council says it is closing Palacerigg Country Park and Golf Course in Cumbernauld and Dumbreck Marsh Local Nature Reserve in Kilsyth to the public.

1 March 2000: The first cases of the disease in Scotland are confirmed at the two farms in Dumfries and Galloway. Two other sites in central Scotland are under suspicion.

Ross Finnie says the news is a "devastating blow" but "not entirely unexpected".

Jim Walker, president of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, says the arrival of the epidemic in Scotland is "a tragedy for the whole industry".

Meanwhile, footpaths in the Pentland Hills, near Edinburgh, close to all visitors, including walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

The foot-and-mouth scare forces First Minister Henry McLeish to cancel a planned public question and answer session in Orkney.

Glasgow Zoo says it is closing to the public with immediate effect, after confirmation that foot-and-mouth had spread north.

First Minister Henry McLeish announces more than 800 animals will be slaughtered at the two affected farms.