Ahern refuses to criticise British handling of crisis or seek more EU money

The Taoiseach has declined to criticise London's handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis, despite new evidence that the epidemic in Britain is spiralling out of control.

And Mr Ahern ruled out asking the EU for more money to cope with the mounting cost of the crisis, which overshadowed a meeting of EU leaders in Stockholm.

The leaders were meeting as the EU's Standing Veterinary Committee endorsed the European Commission's recommendation that this week's ban on food exports should be limited to Co Louth.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, had called on the Taoiseach to condemn Britain's handling of the disease during his meeting with Mr Blair in Stockholm.

The Taoiseach, who was due to meet Mr Blair last night, said he had already raised the issue but there was no reason to enter into a public dispute. "I think they are doing an enormous amount now," he added.

The Taoiseach said he would not consider asking the EU for more funds to compensate farmers. "We are already into a big budgetary position on BSE and other areas. It would not be prudent to start opening up other measures," he said.

At their meeting in Brussels, the vets approved a plan by the Dutch authorities to introduce a limited vaccination programme to control the spread of the disease. Under the Dutch plan, animals destined for slaughter would be vaccinated while they are waiting for incinerators to become available. But the Dutch authorities insist they have no plans for a mass vaccination of herds.

The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, said the epidemic was now his top priority and promised to speed up the slaughter and incineration of animals in affected regions. He was responding to a report by veterinary experts suggesting the epidemic in Britain was continuing to get worse and that it may not peak for weeks.

During talks with the Austrian Chancellor, Dr Wolfgang Schussel, Mr Ahern received what he interpreted as an assurance that Vienna would lift its ban on Irish food imports within days.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said he had instructed Irish diplomatic missions to inform export markets that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth was extremely limited and that Irish food remains safe.