The impact of foot and mouth disease on farm businesses in Cumbria

A survey of farm households in Cumbria shows that foot and mouth disease (FMD) caused a 60% fall in revenue from traditional farm enterprises, a 17% reduction in earnings from diversified activities and a 15% fall in salaries from off-farm employment. Costs fell by 32%, leaving a net shortfall of £41,840. When analysed by farms which had had stock culled and those that had not, the net shortfall was £51,516 and £15,235, respectively. Despite these losses, all but one farmer intended to continue farming and restock. Many also recognised the need to rebalance their income portfolio. In future fewer stock will be farmed, and more farmers will enrol in agri-environment schemes, diversify enterprises and work off-farm. Diversification will remain more popular than working off-farm despite being more affected by FMD. These findings suggest that an increasing proportion of farm households will benefit from any switch in agricultural subsidies to support rural development and the provision of public-good benefits and the countryside—upon which so much of Cumbriaʹs service sector depends.