Foot and Mouth concern for pubs

The industry remains on tenterhooks over the possibility that foot and mouth has spread outside of the exclusion zones in Surrey.

Defra officials are investigating the possibility of two further outbreaks - one at Romney Marsh in Kent and another at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey. An exclusion zone has been set up around the areas but officials were keen to stress a similar process had been adopted at a farm in Dorking, Surrey - where further tests had proved negative for the disease. Rural pubs suffered huge losses during the 2001 epidemic.

Earlier this week, it appeared the disease at two farms near Guildford had been contained. Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed "swift, determined and decisive action" had been taken and that tourists should be clear that Britain is "open for business".

He said: "We have restricted the disease to a limited area of this country. The risk of it spreading out of these areas is low if not negligible.​

"We want to make sure everything possible is being done not only to get back to normal as quickly as possible but to advance the benefits of the rural economy in this country."

Although there is little sign that many pubs have been hit by the outbreaks at this stage, the Government has offered tax breaks for pubs that are affected by the foot and mouth outbreak.

HM Revenue & Customs has said it will:

l Defer collection of taxes and duties or agree instalment arrangements

l Suspend debt collection proceedings

l Defer compliance checks and investigations

l Provide help and advice in dealing with other practical tax matters arising from the outbreak

l Where appropriate, consider using the powers available to give up interest and surcharges on tax paid which is paid late due to the outbreak

A new helpline has been set up to support businesses affected - the number is 0845 366 1207.