PRIME Minister Tony Blair today announced the worst of the foot-and-mouth outbreak is over -- paving the way for a June 7 General Election.

Speaking at his first Press conference on the issue, he said: "It is clear we are winning the battle against foot and mouth. We have the right policy. It is working.

"The trend of the disease is clear and the number of daily cases has fallen.

"But there will be no relaxation of our guard. No complacency."

The number of new cases has fallen to between seven and 10 per day, he said, from an average of 16 in the seven days before April 22.

He also revealed that in every region of the country, vets and the Army were reaching their target of slaughter within 24 hours of detection.

Mr Blair added that, where sporadic outbreaks continued to occur, the Government would bear down on them relentlessly.

Mr Blair also set out the nature of the disease and explained it had been the biggest peacetime operation the nation had faced.

"It has been a bigger logistical exercise than the Gulf War," he said.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to all those involved in fighting the disease -- the farmers, armed services and vets.

He is now expected to announce a General Election date next Tuesday or Wednesday.