"THE foot and mouth disease has hit the countryside after what has probably been the worst year for farming in the last half century and that the rural communities are staring disaster in the face.

"The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) will be at the forefront of rural regeneration and our manifesto, launched on April 24, sets out the framework for that objective," said Richard Howard-Vyse, chairman of the CLA's Yorkshire region.

"The foot and mouth crisis has illustrated vividly the interdependence of farming, tourism and the environment," said Mr Howard-Vyse. "For many years the CLA has been calling for a new department for the countryside and agriculture and the past few weeks have provided incontrovertible evidence to support our claim.

"We now need a fresh approach for agriculture and we are taking a leading part in reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy. Farmers must be rewarded for providing environmental benefits through the expansion of the stewardship scheme and a new Government must ensure that farmers secure a fairer return in the competition marketplace."

Mr Howard-Vyse said that red tape must be kept to a minimum to help regenerate all aspects of the rural economy "and we look to the regional development agencies to channel support into rural areas.

"All political parties need to realise that the countryside will be a crucial battleground for the next general election and we will have high expectations of the incoming Government. If election promises are translated into action, the administration will have our active help and support."

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, May 03, 2001