In an interview for the FT, the environment, food and rural affairs secretary, Margaret Beckett, warns farmers that the foot and mouth outbreak is not over.

"It's a source of anxiety that people will assume its over before it is. We do very much urge people not to do that," she said.

Farm incomes will rise this year to an £8267 average for full time employees, a level of earnings below the minimum wage, reveal official figures published yesterday.

Rural businesses began a campaign yesterday for damages due to the foot and mouth crisis.

The UK Rural Business Campaign is requesting £5.1 billion from the government, although the organisation is calling for a public inquiry as a first step.