FARMERS who use organic methods could be given more support as the Yorkshire Dales battle to recover from the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.

The national park authority has said it will lobby Westminster on their behalf, as the results are awaited of three Government studies on the repercussions of the crisis.

Management feel the time has come to move the emphasis of farming away from quantity and to focus on quality.

The chief executive of the authority, David Butterworth, said: "Foot-and-mouth disease has made everyone stop and think about how we farm the countryside.

"Lord Haskins - Tony Blair's key agricultural advisor - is on the record as saying that green farms, run on sustainable principles, should receive increased support and subsidies.

"At the same time, larger commercial farms should become more financially independent. This is an indication of the way farm subsidies are likely to be paid in the future.

"Clearly, organic farming practices are not a panacea to agriculture's problems, but they will play an increasing role in the industry.

"They represent one way forward for some of our farmers and, where they include less intensive and more sustainable land management, they can have real benefits for the environment of the national park as well."

Mr Butterworth said those farming in a less intensive way, and who invest in the landscape of the national park, should be encouraged and rewarded.

He said: "The days of measuring the value of land solely by what it can produce are over. Today, the economic value of the park's landscape is far greater.