Cost of foot and mouth tops £2.7bn

UK - The foot and mouth epidemic has so far cost £2.7 billion, the Chancellor said yesterday.

12 August 2007

1 minute read

Europe

A total of £1.25 billion was provided to compensate farmers for the slaughter of animals, £701 million went on disinfecting farms and £471 million was paid under the livestock welfare scheme.

About £156 million went on agri-monetary compensation - paying farmers for differences in exchange rates on support payments which are made in euros - £15 million went on advice and marketing support for farmers and £54 million on grants under the business recovery fund.

advertisementSome £20 million went on rate relief for farmers, £13 million on matched funding for charitable donations, £18 million on tourism promotion and £4 million on reopening rights of way. Further costs, such as deferring farmers' tax payments, have not been included.

Source: Sunday Telegraph