Farmers forsake the land for tourism

Farmers in Lancashire, England, are making more money from tourism than traditional farming following the foot and mouth crisis, according to a report just published.

The first in-depth research released three years after the outbreak starkly reflects the radical changes in the English rural economy since 2001.

Tourism was also badly hit by the impact of foot and mouth disease, but ironically it is playing a key role in shaping future growth in the farming sector.

The report was produced for North West Farm Tourism, which was set up to help farmers in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.