Farmers in Cumbria are making more money from tourism than traditional farming following the foot-and-mouth crisis, according to a report published this week.

The research, which is being publicised as the first in-depth investigation of the issue since the outbreak in 2001, highlights what are being called "radical changes" in the rural economy.

Those behind the findings said that it was ironic that tourism, which was also badly hit by foot-and-mouth, was now playing a key role in the future of farming.

The survey was commissioned by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and Cumbria Tourist Board, and funded by the North West Development Agency. It was designed to look at changing trends in farming in the county, which was the area most badly hit by foot-and-mouth.

The report said that a greater than ever number of farm businesses were moving into tourism to boost their income.

The North West Farm Tourism study found that across the region: l Almost half of all farms were already turning to tourism, often alongside the core agricultural business.

l A further 19 per cent were planning to start up new income-generating schemes this year.

l An average farmer could only expect to yield between £300 and £400 per annum from each ten acres of land, while revenue from tourism could generate the same profit in just a few days.

l Farmers who invest in bigger, activity-led tourism businesses stand to benefit most, because the average turnover of activity-based providers in 2003 was £243,875.

l After consulting 600 farmers in the survey, it was calculated that the average turnover from farm tourism activity was almost £60,000 generating a significantly better profit margin than traditional agriculture.

l The average turnover for farmers in bed and breakfast was £26,212, while the average gross profit for operators in all farm tourism sectors was £20,853.

Cumbria Tourist Board chief executive Chris Collier said: "Farm tourism is changing the face of the rural economy. More and more farms are diversifying into the sector. However, this is moving far beyond the traditional concept of B&B farmhouses or self-catering accommodation."

She said farmers, especially the younger generation, were providing "adventures and activities" to attract visitors in the 21st century.

Bob Clark, the executive director of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, said the farm diversification experienced in the county was spreading elsewhere in the North West.

"We are witnessing the biggest transformation of the farming industry and the wider rural economy for the past 100 years."

l Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins was at Cartmel Show and the Lake District Sheep Dog Trials at Ings this week in his capacity as president of both events.

He said that recent decisions on severely disadvantaged areas, low milk price, and the bovine TB epidemic continued to cast a cloud over farming in South Lakeland.

"The foot-and-mouth bonfires of 2001 may be a fading memory but these new problems faced by farmers in our part of the world deserve to be taken no less seriously if we are to sustain the industry and the invaluable role it plays for years to come."

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