WHILST the Cumbria outbreak of foot and mouth disease rages on - there were four new cases in the Kirkby Stephen area yesterday - the Country Land and Business Association has issued an eight-point plan to help farmers diversify into new markets.

The CLA is to present its blueprint for action to Government and local authorities saying: "The Government now has an opportunity to demonstrate real commitment to a viable and profitable rural economy. It is in the national interest for rural areas to be innovative and prosperous."

The blueprint has been drawn up by a specially created CLA Diversification Working Party and one of its key aims is to persuade government and local authorities to cut through the red-tape which, at present, makes farm diversification complicated, time-consuming and often expensive.

It highlights eight key areas for action: planning, funding, taxation, farm tenancies, tourism, energy, food and forestry.

Says CLA Yorkshire Director Dorothy Fairburn: "Work on the road to recovery from foot and mouth needs to start urgently. We believe out report sets out clearly how this can happen."