BUSINESSES hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis have until the end of this month to apply for relief from business rates, the Country Land and Business Association has said.
"We know that money allocated by the Government to local authorities to fund rate reductions to businesses affected by the disease has not been taken up in many districts," said Frances Beatty, regional director for the CLA in the West Midlands.
"The CLA is asking the Government to extend the scheme but until we hear that our pleas have been successful, those who have been hit by the disease have only until the end of this month to apply for relief.
"While there are continuing outbreaks of the disease it seems only reasonable to extend the scheme for another three to six months. We must not forget that this is the biggest outbreak of foot-and-mouth ever in the developed world
Devastated
"Our surveys show that rural enterprises of all kinds have been badly affected as a consequence and, in some cases, devastated and, of course, those businesses related to tourism have been particularly badly hit."
Application forms for rate relief are available from local authorities. A Joint Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise FMD helpline can also be reached on 0845 3000157.
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