TEN YEARS ON: The timeline

Countryside shut down by disease.

THE first case of foot and mouth disease since 1967 was detected at a slaughterhouse in Essex on February 19 in 2001.

Two days later, the European Union imposed a worldwide ban on all British exports of livestock, meat and animal products.

The first case in Devon was reported in Highampton on February 24.

The final case was reported in Cumbria in September 2001.

In total, 2,000 cases were reported during the outbreak.

Infected animals were found in most areas of the country, although Cumbria was worst hit.

During the peak of the outbreak, many major tourist attractions were closed to visitors - including The Donkey Sanctuary, near Sidmouth.

Some smaller attractions failed to recover from the loss in business.