Foot and mouth alert ruins country holidays

People planning outdoor activities and holidays in the countryside over the next few weeks face disruption to their plans as cottage operators, B&B owners, farm attractions and youth hostels close their doors in an attempt to limit the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Keith Sanders, chairman of the 400-strong National Farms Attractions Network, said the disease could have a devastating impact on the vital Easter holiday period. 'Easter is one of our busiest times of year. Some of our members are going to lose a lot of money,' he said.

'Even when the disease stops spreading there is still going to be a two-week incubation period before visitors can return,' he added.

Sanders has closed his own attraction, the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre, and is recommending other members follow suit.

Nigel Embry, chief executive of Farm Stay UK, a consortium of 1,300 farms around the country which offer B&B and self-catering accommodation, feared the impact on forward bookings for Easter and the summer. He said many farms were cancelling reservations and not taking any bookings for at least the next couple of weeks.

'This isn't a particularly busy time of year but it is sending out a negative message to people who are planning to book their Easter and summer holidays.'

The cancellations will cause more hardship for farmers already hit by the crisis, he added. 'The whole objective of farm stays is to give additional income to farmers. For many farms it is now their primary source of income,' said Embry.

The Youth Hostel Association reported a large number of cancellations for stays within the next month. Fifteen hostels in areas such as the Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor and North Wales have also been closed.

Cottage holiday specialist Hoseasons reported cancellations for properties based in affected areas such as Wiltshire and Wales.

'We have had a lot of calls from people concerned about their holidays - even for bookings as far ahead as this summer,' said managing director Ken Gaylard.

The company is offering to rearrange holidays free of charge or offer refunds for the foreseeable future if a cottage is in an infected area. The same will apply if an owner in an affected area refuses to accept bookings because of the crisis.

Nick Rudge, marketing director of the 7,000-strong Holiday Cottages Group, said it had seen a significant drop in bookings taken in the last few days.

Farmers in Devon and Cornwall have also been cancelling their short breaks with Superbreak Holidays because they are under quarantine and are unable to get off their properties. The company is rearranging their holidays for later in the year.

Where the gates are closed

• A large number of National Trust countryside properties in England and Wales have been closed. Only sites which are separate from any livestock activities will remain open.

• The Camping and Caravanning Club has cancelled more than 300 events such as walks on all farms until the end of March.

• The Youth Hostel Association has closed 15 of its 240 hostels in England and Wales. Others could be closed if the disease spreads. It recommends cancelling walks in and around areas where there are suspected outbreaks.

• The Ramblers' Association has cancelled all organised walks through the countryside for the forseeable future. It is advising members of the public to steer clear of farm land and other areas where there could be livestock.

• More information is available by telephoning the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries on 0845 0504141.

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