FINGERS crossed: North Yorkshire's foot and mouth nightmare might soon be over. It is too early to celebrate, however. Previous reports of the end of the disease proved to be greatly exaggerated. Six months after electioneering ministers assured us the outbreak was licked, North Yorkshire is still saddled with restrictions.
But these are now being lifted. Nearly 3,000 North Yorkshire farms were today removed from "infected area" status. That is another important hurdle cleared, as the county moves closer to the day when it is declared foot and mouth free.
Yet even then, there will be little rejoicing. The cost of the disease, coming so soon after two major floods, will be counted in bankrupt businesses and lost livelihoods.
As winter closes in, farmers and the tourism trade should have been living off the fat of summer. This year, many have not earned any income.
Farmers whose livestock was slaughtered could at least claim compensation. Neighbouring farmers and tourism businesses, stymied by the closure of the countryside, have been left with nothing.
The Government has failed to offer enough help to beleaguered North Yorkshire businesses. Their only hope is for a good Christmas and 2002 tourist season.
Unhappily, the economic forecasts are not good. As we reveal in Business Press, Yorkshire is facing shrinking profits and rising unemployment. Other reports suggest the property boom is over.
Meanwhile, tourism awaits with trepidation the impact of the September 11 atrocities on global travel.
What we cannot afford to do is sit back and talk ourselves into a recession. The positive news is that the diversity of local industry offers a stable economic platform from which to withstand any downturn.
As for tourism, York and North Yorkshire have not changed: they still possess the same history and majesty. Already, tourist bosses are working on ways to attract new visitors to replace those who stay away.
It is this sort of endeavour and self-belief that can kick-start a recovery.
Updated: 10:07 Tuesday, November 20, 2001
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