I share your disappointment in being unable to walk the countryside. I just returned from ten days in Ireland. Though their cases are miniscule, the restrictions to the farthest edges of the country are enormous. The trip was devoid of peaks and valleys and limited to highways, pubs and song.

For the most thorough, up-to-date coverage, the http://www.ft.com (use the British button top left corner) Financial Times is the best.

Here is an excerpt:

Financial Times - London
Chief vet says foot-and-mouth crisis under control
By Michael Mann and Cathy Newman
Published: April 19 2001 20:35GMT | Last Updated: April 19 2001 21:28GMT

The foot-and-mouth epidemic is fully under control and the number of daily cases should fall to just one or two by June 7, the expected date for a general election, the government's chief scientific adviser said on Thursday.

"The epidemic is now fully under control," said Professor David King at an agriculture ministry briefing. "It is coming under control a little quicker than predicted."

Following the killing of almost 1.2m animals, Prof King said the average number of daily cases had halved from around 40 two weeks ago to 20 now. That pattern could be expected to continue, virtually eradicating the disease by the beginning of June.

So far, 1,194,000 animals have been slaughtered, of which 427,000 remain to be disposed of. A further 575,000 animals are still awaiting slaughter.

Farmers fear use of vaccines could prolong the outbreak and delay Britain's return to export markets.

The slaughter policy has had unexpected beneficiaries. Accles & Shelvoke, a Birmingham-based manufacturer of humane slaughtering equipment, has been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to produce the bolt guns used to kill the animals.

At Your Service, GARGOYLE

http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3TBTGYQLC&live=true