Contingency plans for in the event of another foot and mouth outbreak in Wales were put to the test on Tuesday.

Officials from the Welsh assembly and veterinary experts were set to work closely with their Whitehall counterparts to examine how communications and management systems work in such a situation.

The move was recommended following investigations into the 2001 outbreak and follows the publication of a new contingency plan last April.

During the outbreak more than six million animals were destroyed, more than a million of which were in Wales. The disaster is estimated to have cost the British farming industry some £3 billion.

"Having effective contingency plans in place was a recommendation of several independent inquiries into foot and moth, and it is also a requirement of the European Union," said Carwyn Jones, Welsh countryside minister.

"Effectiveness has to be tested and this exercise will be part of the testing programme.

"As part of the exercise stakeholders and partners will work together on dealing with predictable and unpredictable events.

"Similar exercises have taken place or will take place elsewhere in the UK to ensure contingency plans are fully tested. Further exercises will also take place in Wales."