The British army was today helping to clear the backlog of culled animals in a bid to combat the foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK.
Fifty two-man teams were starting work at sites across Devon this morning backed up by a 30-strong planning team based in Exeter.
The Ministry of Defence said the army personnel - including experts in logistics and a range of other areas - would supervise and offer advice to civilian contractors who are culling animals and removing carcasses for destruction.
With similar backlogs building up in Cumbria it is likely soldiers will also be deployed there.
Twenty-three more cases were confirmed last night bringing the total to 348.
The decision to call in the Army followed yesterday's claim by a leading NFU official that Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was losing the battle against the disease.
NFU regional director Mr Anthony Gibson said: "At the moment it seems to be one step forward and two steps back."
There were now 128 vets, including some from Germany and Denmark, as well as 30 veterinary students from Bristol, carrying out farm inspections.
PA