RURAL BUSINESS HIT BY FOOT AND MOUTH

A new survey from Lloyds TSB suggests that businesses in Scotland or those in the north and north-west of England are suffering the worst impacts of last year’s foot and mouth crisis. In Scotland and northern England, 20 businesses claimed their losses exceeded £50,000.

As previously, hotel and catering businesses suffered the greatest impact with more than a quarter losing more than £50,000 as a direct result of the foot and mouth problems. However, as compared with the first half of 2001, the figures are favourable showing an overall improvement.