A key government advisor on the countryside has called for the testing of a foot and mouth vaccination policy as concern over the disease mounts following further outbreaks in Northumberland.

Countryside Agency chief, Ewen Cameron made the call as the organisation published a report on the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on rural Britain.

Speaking to journalists at a news conference, he said: "I would like to see a vaccination policy tested in the current outbreak because I don't think the public would stand for a mass slaughter policy in any future outbreak."

At the height of the foot and mouth crisis the government edged closer to implementing a vaccination strategy but backed down after opposition from farmers who feared the loss of export markets.

Reflecting on the crisis, Cameron said the government and other agencies had acted quickly but the full impact of the disease remained to be seen.

"There will be more bankruptcies, fewer jobs and rural communities will suffer for years to come. In the areas hardest hit, such as Cumbria, Devon, parts of Herefordshire, North Yorkshire and the North East, it's a double blow - agriculture was already in recession and many households depended on rural tourism and its suppliers for jobs and income," he said.

He added that the government's initial advice to the public to stay away from the countryside to prevent the accidental spread of the disease may have been a mistake.

"There is no doubt the strength of the stay away from the countryside message in the early days was the main problem and we have been working hard to try to correct that message," said Cameron.

The Countryside Agency's report on the state of the countryside said that the disease outbreak could have dealt a £4.1 billion blow to the national economy in 2001, less than had originally been feared.

Around 25 per cent of firms throughout the country have been adversely affected by the disease, adds the report.

The impact on agriculture is estimated to range from £400 million to £1.2 billion, with the figure doubling if supply chain effects are included. Up to £400 million could also have been lost due to the export ban.

The total foot and mouth compensation bill will be more than £1.1 billion, with £948 million paid to those who have seen their animals slaughtered and £242 million to be paid out through the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.

The report warns that it could take years to rebuild herds on farms that have seen animals slaughtered and that uncertain market prices will add to the difficulties facing farmers.

The international tourism industry has seen a loss of revenue of between £1 billion and £2.3 billion due to the crisis in 2001 while domestic tourism has seen "significant displacement" from rural areas to the coast and cities.

Shadow tourism minister John Greenway renewed calls for the government to increase funding for the English Tourism Council and Regional Tourism Boards.

"This report proves that the government has not done nearly enough for rural tourism. This industry is facing a dire financial crisis, and is threatened with many bankruptcies. Months ago the tourism industry dismissed the government's attempt at help as a kick in the teeth, yet they have still done nothing," he said.

Cameron said the crisis had "underlined the vulnerability of rural economies, how closely related agriculture is to rural tourism and tourism is to the provision of local services."

He added that by returning to the countryside and boosting local businesses, members of the public could help to alleviate the impact of the crisis.