NFU Scotland and the Farmers’ Union of Wales are raising the pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to fund compensation for farmers outside England affected by F&M restrictions.

NFUS president Jim McLaren has requested a meeting with Mr Brown and Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to press the case for compensation, while FUW president Gareth Vaughn has written a strongly worded letter.

Mr McLaren said: “We are looking for constructive dialogue. We will not be dragged into political ping-pong – we have had a taste of that and have no intention of getting hauled back into that mire.”

The total cost of the outbreak to the industry in Scotland was still being calculated but Mr McLaren pointed out hauliers, auctioneers and some processors had felt the financial pain along with farmers.

Mr Vaughn said the effect on the Welsh economy had been “catastrophic” and that it was the responsibility of central government to remedy the situation.

“This disease outbreak had nothing to do with the people of Wales, but the impact on the Welsh economy has been catastrophic – an estimated deficit of some £150m.”

Mr Vaughn wrote: “I therefore believe that significant funding that is proportional to the losses incurred by the Welsh industry should, as a matter of urgency, be made available by Central Treasury to Wales.”