RURAL Task Force member Anthony Bosanquet paid a fact-finding visit to Devon this week to gather first-hand information about how the foot and mouth disease outbreak is affecting rural businesses.
Mr Bosanquet, who is national president of the County Land and Business Association, said he is keen to gather evidence about how businesses outside the farm gate are being affected by the outbreak.
'We understand the terrible impact this disease is having on Devon's livestock farmers, but our remit is much wider than farming and I wanted to hear from the people who have other rural-based businesses which are being devastated,' he said.
'We have an equal duty to put their case to the Government.'
Mr Bosanquet met auctioneers, hoteliers, owners of wildlife parks and visitor centres, as well as livestock farmers.
He said: 'There is a danger that those operating at the centre of Government can become remote from the reality on the ground.
'I want to make sure that does not happen in Devon.'