BUSINESSES in the Forest of Dean are being asked to fill in a questionnaire so that a start can be made on assessing the local impact of foot and mouth disease in a way which will make recovery and support packages more effective.

The questionnaire has been devised by the Forest of Dean District Council and the Countryside Agency to build up a picture of how the disease outbreak is affecting the area's economy.

Val Kirby, the Agency's Forest of Dean project officer, explained: "Everyone is aware that foot and mouth disease is having a serious impact on many aspects of life in the Forest of Dean but it's hard to assess the exact consequences without data."

She added: "Many different agencies are working on rapid-response advice and aid packages, or longer term actions and resources. But each needs facts to make sure they respond effectively. The district council and ourselves felt a questionnaire to businesses would be a useful starting point."

The questionnaire, published in the Review, will also be available at information points around the Forest, through Forest networks, or by phoning 0117 973 9966.

Nick Rawlings, for the district council, said: "We hope local companies will support what we are doing. It will only take a few minutes to provide the answers we need yet the information will be of great assistance to all the agencies, including the council and the Countryside Agency, which are working on ways to help the Forest to get over the problems foot and mouth disease has caused the community here."