- guardian.co.uk, Monday April 23 2001 12.01 BST
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said its members increased their lending to the farming sector by a net £47m in March. The figure is significantly higher than the same month a year earlier, when net lending was £18m, and it is the largest amount for five months.
As well as an increase in loans, the figure covers those banks which have allowed farmers to delay interest repayments because of the crisis, the BBA said.
Tim Sweeney, BBA director general, said: "The foot and mouth epidemic and lenders' willingness to help those affected probably accounted for increased lending to the farming sector."
The BBA added that significant increases were also seen in lending to transport and communication businesses, real estate companies, construction firms and retailers. Only food, beverages and tobacco companies made significant repayments on borrowed money.
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