WITH new outbreaks remaining in single figures, there were signs that the countryside was making preparations for "business as usual" in the hope of recuperating some of the springtime losses as summer approaches.

Government agencies, which for the past two months have been concentrating their efforts on foot and mouth, are returning to a more normal agenda.

One of them, the Countryside Agency, today issues a new report on the future of rural market towns which are seen as key centres for future development (for more information, see Country News).