The report says FMD's impact on the UK economy will be up to 0.5% - �4.1bn - of the UK's GDP.

Nationally around 25% of firms have been affected by the crisis - but this rises to 40% of firms in Devon, Cornwall and Cumbria.

The full economic impact will not be known for some time - but the report says that 15-20,000 jobs could be at risk in Cumbria alone as a result of the epidemic.

The downturn in the tourism industry is largely due to the reduction of international tourists visiting the UK.

Early estimates for revenue losses as a result in a decline in overseas tourists are �1 - 2.3bn. The British Hospitality Association estimates that there has been a 10% reduction in the number of foriegn visitors to the UK this year.

The Office of National Statistics says that for the period from April to June there was a 5% decrease in the number of foriegn tourists compared to the previous three months.

Reduced foriegn tourism has had a bigger effect on urban areas than the countryside - but cities have in turn benefitted from more domestic tourists - who have been unable to visit the countryside as a result of FMD.

The report says that 80% of "accommodation providers" have been affected - and one third say that business has dropped by more than 25%.

It is estimated that at least 20,000 to 30,000 jobs in tourism could be affected by the end of the year.

The report estimates that loss of exports will cost between �310 - �400m in 2001 - and will continue at �36m each month for as long as the export ban continues.

It would take about 40 days for EU markets to open after the UK is declared disease-free - and could be up to six months for some non EU destinations.

The total cost of FMD compensation to farmers for slaughtered livestock is expected to be about �1.1bn.

Knock-on effects for the UK agricultural supply sector include a decline in sales, livestock market closures and loss of business to livestock transporters.