FARMING is to face extreme hardship as foot and mouth claims thousands of jobs, according to industry leader Ben Gill.
Mr Gill, head of the National Farmers' Union who farms near Easingwold, said the jobs would increase desperation experienced by members who have already seen 51,000 jobs shed in the last few years.
His message was given in a presentation usually made at the Royal Show. This year's was given in London after the event was cancelled because of FMD.
He revealed figures which claimed average farmers' earnings were down to £5,200 a year, total borrowing had risen to a new high of more than £10 billion and the income from the whole industry had dropped to £1.88 billion - £3 billion less than five years ago.
Updated: 08:56 Thursday, July 05, 2001
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