FSB make loans to members hit by FMD

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed it has given almost £350,000 in Interest Free Loans to its members hit by the Foot and Mouth Crisis across the United Kingdom.

The announcement came on the same day as a Commons statement by Margaret Beckett on the lessons learned from the Foot and Mouth Crisis, following the publication of a 200-page report by Dr Iain Anderson.

However, David Dexter, FSB National Secretary said the Government should have been quicker to respond. He added: "The FSB set aside £500,000 from its reserves in March 2001 in the belief that action spoke larger than words. Very little Government help was available at the time and even when it did arrive, businesses based in urban areas serving rural communities were excluded.

"We are pleased that Dr Anderson is to highlight the plight of non-farming businesses. Too often during the crisis, small businesses were an after-thought and their confidence will not be restored until there is a full public inquiry."

A breakdown of the FSB's Foot and Mouth Crisis Fund reveals that non-farming businesses serving rural areas suffered as much as farmers.

Although members in the farming sector accounted for £60,500 of the loans, the overwhelming majority of the aid was given to the owners of hotels, guest-houses and holiday accommodation (£109,000.) Around £45,500 was also given to shop-owners, £44,000 to equestrian and outdoor suppliers, £39,500 to pubs and restaurants, £29,000 to manufacturers, and £13,500 to transport businesses.

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