A DELEGATION of Devon's top guns accompanied MP John Burnett as they lobbied Rural Task Force minister Michael Meacher at Westminster on Tuesday.
David Incoll, of West Devon Borough Council, Nick Atkinson, of Dartmoor National Park Authority and Richard Brasington, of Torridge District Council joined the West Devon and Torridge Liberal Democrat MP in their plea to make the area a special case for concessions in the light of the foot and mouth crisis.
Mr Burnett said: 'Every business in my constituency has been hugely affected — turnover is down by 80 per cent or more in some cases.
'This catastrophe is decimating agriculture and all other businesses in this area — I told Mr Meacher we are looking for action as quickly as possible.'
Mr Burnett asked for confirmation that deferred tax and national insurance contributions would not carry interest rates, a doubling of the threshold for business rate relief, mortgage or loan interest payment 'holidays' for affected businesses, and requested a one-off tax change.
'Currently, farmers are allowed to average their profits for tax purposes over two years. Most of them haven't had any profits for four years. All businesses in affected areas should have a one-off right to average their profits and losses for tax purposes over the last six years.
'I am desperate to keep business, shops and pubs going,' said Mr Burnett.
In addition, a working party of DETR officials and local authority staff will work to return life in West Devon to normality as quickly as possible.
'Local councils don't have scientists to advise them. We need far more detail about what councils can and can't open up. In this respect, councils should have emergency powers to move stock from small commons and other areas, so as to re-open them for tourism and so forth.
'He has also given us an assurance there will be a huge PR blitz as soon as possible, to get people coming back,' he said.
Mr Burnett said Mr Meacher was 'sympathetic' to the financial proposals and would consult with the Treasury department.
He was hoping for answers 'within days' to the delegation's other suggestions.
Mr Incoll said the meeting was 'very useful'.
'I think both Nick Atkinson and I felt Mr Meacher did appreciate the disastrous effect the outbreak is having on the whole rural economy.
'We looked at a number of areas where the Government could make help for businesses wider and our treasury staff are happy to work with the DETR to look at the measures.'
And Mr Incoll said the borough would continue to make sure the minister knows exactly what the situation is like for West Devon in the coming months.