THE cost of the foot and mouth epidemic is enormous, says the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) which has carried out its own survey.
The study found that:
- rural businesses are losing an average of £20,000 a month
- job losses average 1.5 people for each rural business
- most jobs have been lost in tourism and recreation, with farming and retail hard hit
- business incomes are down more than 50pc on last year.
"Businesses ranging from large tourism operations to kitchen-table enterprises are suffering," said Yorkshire regional CLA director Dorothy Fairburn.
"Limited Government help is available but more needs to be done to make people aware that these funds are there to be tapped. A great many businesses do not know what funds are available nor how to go about claiming them"
The CLA is urging that a "huge publicity campaign" be launched to ensure businesses know what they can claim for.
Updated: 10:42 Thursday, June 14, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article