Businesses in North East England hit by the restrictions caused by Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue are being offered a route to specialist support through Business Link North East.

Firms affected by the restrictions can now call 0845 600 9 006 to speak to specially trained Business Link Relationship Managers, who will offer a direct link to business advice for the livestock sector in the region and put farms and other companies in touch with the most up-to-date business information.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has been working with Business Link to make sure funding is also available for essential specialist support which may be needed by businesses, in areas such as financial planning, marketing or exploring other business opportunities.

The services could be of particular benefit to the estimated 1,500 hill livestock farmers in the region, who are feeling the severe effects of restrictions and backlog in the system at what is normally their busiest time of year.

Prices have also been hit by the ban on exports, which has created an oversupply of lamb in the UK market at a time when, normally, around 30% of UK lamb would be going overseas.

Nicki Clark, Business Link North East’s Director of Operations said: “Support is being made available via the main Business Link helpline, 0845 600 9 006.

“Rural businesses will be able to speak to specially trained relationship managers, who will offer direct links to business advice and put farms in touch with the latest business information.

“In addition, One NorthEast funding is being ring-fenced via the North East England Investment Centre to offer essential, professional support services to affected businesses. This can be accessed through expert brokers at Business Link.”

One NorthEast board member Ian Brown, the board’s lead on rural affairs, said: “The movement restrictions and the UK export ban have had a particularly heavy impact on hill sheep farmers.

“Although the practicalities of moving livestock are slowly returning to near normal, this will have an impact for years to come. At a regional level, we want to help farmers and other affected businesses to recover as best they can and perhaps make their business less susceptible to this type of crisis.

“Combined with the price effects of the export ban and the backlog of animals in the system it is, and will continue to be, an enormously difficult time for the whole sector.

“Our priority is making sure that companies can get to the advice and business support that they need to help navigate the situation.”

Relevant links

Business Link North East

One NorthEast

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