NFU president Ben Gill said he believed that there was reason now to think that real progress was being made against the outbreak.

"This word control has been much bandied about. I will never rest that it is under control until we have had the last case dead and disposed of for at least a month, and preferably two months.

"But clearly there are very positive signs now of a downward decline," said Mr Gill.

He reiterated his opposition to vaccination.

"Vaccination is not a tool to replace the existing slaughter and disposal policy. That is by far the best tool to remove this dreadful little virus from our shores."

Mr Gill said he had written to his union's local offices explaining why the leadership did not think vaccination was desirable.