F&M market fears

2 March 2001

F&M market fears

THE farmland market could be very quiet in the foreseeable future if the outbreak of foot and mouth is not bought under control.

Agents in the south-west, where stock farms predominate, are already restricting farm viewings as part of efforts to check the spread of the disease. Strutt & Parkers Robin Thomas says the firm is taking the issue extremely seriously and is advising clients to put any potential sales on hold.

Elswhere agents are adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Mark Grimes, at Cotswold-based Carver Knowles, was planning to launch two livestock farms in the near future but is closely monitoring the situation. "There will be no point in launching a farm if people are unable to visit," he says.