disease rampaging across the UK reach Bermuda have led Government to consider, for the first time, how it would deal with an animal health crisis.

A plan to deal with animal related disasters will be drafted said Director of Agriculture and Fisheries John Barnes yesterday. It will address both the current situation and "look to the future'', he told The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Barnes was responding to criticism from local veterinarians that not enough is being done locally to protect the Island's animals and that there was no plan to deal with an outbreak here.

"The thing is that neither vets nor the Government ever contemplated a disaster plan for animals, like we have for people, before'' he said. "It never crossed anybody's mind what we would do in that situation.'' But developing such a plan is crucial not only because of FMD but also because of even more serious threats to animals such as anthrax, veterinarian Dr.

Andrew Madeiros told the Royal Gazette .

And he said that while vets would be more than happy to cooperate in the drafting of such a plan, he has heard only loose talk about it so far.

"If that's what they're saying, it's great,'' said Dr. Madeiros. "It's an opportune time to look at animal disease and what we're doing to protect ourselves.

"We've been lucky that this virus is not one that will get here really very easily. Other bugs could possibly be much more catastrophic so it's good to look at the whole picture.'' But both Mr. Barnes and Dr. Madeiros pointed out that Bermuda does not even know where all the cloven animals which could be affected are located.

"Finding a herd is easy,'' said Mr. Barnes, "but what about the guy with one goat in his back yard.'' Dr. Madeiros said that he estimated there might be 800 plus animals at risk locally.

"But how would we get people to cooperate when we don't really know how many goats and sheep are on the Island or where they are?'' Government has also decided to add France to the import ban on affected food items.

Bermuda imposed a ban on UK imports of meat and dairy products nearly a month ago and began checking passengers on arriving flights -- confiscating banned materials and disinfecting any potentially exposed items.

And Government officials are now working overtime to make sure that Bermuda's precautions are enforced.

Animal Husbandry Technician Caroldey Douglas said that all 260 people on last Thursday's British Airways flight and 230 on Saturday's were questioned about possible FMD exposure.

But despite the bombardment of news in the UK about the disease people are still trying to bring in banned products. Ms Douglas said she has found people carrying bacon, pork pies, beef products -- all banned items -- from the UK.

With France added to the ban, and one eye poised on the rest of Europe as the situation continues to develop, Ms. Douglas said the list of banned items is ever changing and being updated.

She said she was working constantly with wholesalers. "Butterfield and Vallis are being very helpful, they don't want their products to be confiscated'' she said.

They informed her of what was coming in on Thursday to see how that shipment would be affected by the extension of the ban.

Those travelling to the UK who are concerned about what they can and cannot do there, may find these guidelines released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) yesterday helpful.

What you should not do * Do not go near cattle, sheep, pigs or deer, wherever you are, and never feed farm animals. If you find yourself near these animals, walk away from them.

* Do not go on farmland which has been or is being used by livestock.

* Do not leave any waste food in open countryside or on farmland.

* Do not use footpaths that are closed. Particularly in areas close to infected farms, local authorities may have closed footpaths. You must obey these closures.

* Do not let your dog off its lead as it may cause animal movements.

However, the MAFF said that some of the restrictions imposed are being lifted and properties closed down last week -- such as National Trust properties -- will re-open.

"The key message to the general public is to avoid all contact with susceptible livestock and not to go on to farm premises or cross land where livestock may be kept,'' the MAFF press release said.

"The foot-and-mouth disease affects susceptible animals which include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, wild boar, deer and certain zoo animals but not horses, dogs and cats or poultry.

"It is highly infectious. The virus can however be carried to animals by people, vehicles and non-susceptible animals.''