The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) announced yesterday it had given almost £350,000 in interest-free loans to members hit by the foot- and-mouth crisis.

The announcement came on the day of a Commons statement by Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the lessons learnt from the crisis, following the publication of a report by Dr Iain Anderson.

A breakdown of the FSB's foot-and-mouth crisis fund revealed that non-farming businesses serving rural areas suffered as much as farmers. Although members in the farming sector accounted for £60,500 of the loans, £109,000 was given to the owners of hotels, guest houses and holiday accommodation.

£45,500 was also given to shop owners, £44,000 to equestrian and outdoor suppliers, £39,500 to pubs and restaurants, £29,000 to manufacturers, and £13,500 to transport businesses.