Promoting and protecting Britain's environment are the keys to helping the countryside recover from the impact of the foot and mouth disease outbreak, a new report said on Monday.

Rural recovery plans should make the most of the natural environment which is of significant economic importance argues the Rural Recovery report from the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

The report, which sets out an agenda for the future of rural areas, argues that the foot and mouth crisis has shown how a diverse countryside is important to tourism and other rural businesses, as well as the nation as a whole. Farming should also support the countryside rather than concentrating solely on food production.

The CPRE called for "a more discerning approach" to farming diversification and a recognition that different rural areas will need different strategies.

Rural regeneration should reward farmers for producing a high quality rural environment, carefully identify the kinds of development needed to avoid imposing blanket solutions and encourage local action and innovation, the report argues.

Gregor Hutcheon, the CPRE's senior rural policy officer, warned of the effect that foot and mouth could have on the rural economy, putting up to 250,000 jobs at risk.

"This graphically demonstrates the importance of protecting the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the countryside and yet those leading the recovery appear not to have learned this important lesson," said Hutcheon.

"The countryside and farming are inextricably linked. By maximising these links we can ensure a secure and sustainable future for both," he added.

The report comes after culture minister Tessa Jowell called on the tourism industry to play to its strengths as it recovers from the aftermath of foot and mouth.

Commenting on statistics showing the number of foreign tourists visiting the UK in the three months to May 2001 was down by four per cent, Jowell said: "It is clear that foot and mouth - coupled with other factors - has caused a major set back to British tourism this year. But this period of difficulty also presents opportunities. It has underlined the importance of the industry to the economy and it has highlighted what still needs to be done to keep us as a world leader."

She called on the industry to set out what support it required from the government. "If you can make out a sound business case, I will do all I can to deliver this support," she added.