THE vast majority of culled-out farmers will re-stock their farms, although many will have fewer animals.

A November telephone survey of more than 1,000 farmers, carried out by ADAS for Defra, showed that only 6pc wanted to leave farming.

Lord Whitty, Minister for Food and Farming, said it was particularly encouraging that many farmers were considering new diversification and environmental options.

The main findings showed that 78pc of infected premises and 65pc of dangerous contact premises intended to re-stock while only 6pc of infected premises planned to quit.

A quarter of those surveyed definitely or possibly planned to diversify into non-farming or non-traditional activities. A quarter would definitely or possibly go into environmental schemes and a small percentage showed interest in organic production.

Sheep and pig numbers might fall significantly in the short term, but there would be a recovery in the medium term. Cattle numbers would fall to a lesser extent. There would be fewer dairy farms but it was unclear whether production would fall. Workforces would continue to get smaller.