Foot-and-mouth is likely to impact on trade more than many realise, with the wool market heading for even worse times ahead, said British Wool Marketing Board chairman Frank Langrish.

“We are reliant on exports for much of our trade and this will block the trade completely. Much GB wool is exported to China and they will undoubtedly suspend trade, having just re-opened their borders after banning imports due to anthrax.”

Closer to home Mr Langrish said his sheep enterprise would be largely unaffected as he currently had plenty of grass where stock were. “We need to send some sheep and cattle to slaughter in the next couple of weeks, but hopefully this will be possible.”

Some lambs will need to be weaned soon, but they can wait a while until movements are more easily possible, he added.