Church calls for foot-and-mouth inquiry

The synod heard a public inquiry would be expensive

The Church of England has joined calls for an inquiry into the handling of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

At a meeting of the General Synod in York on Sunday, bishops spoke passionately about the devastating effect the outbreak had had on farming communities in their diocese.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Jim Thompson, told the church's governing body he had rarely seen such a breakdown in trust between agricultural communities and the government.

Only a fully open inquiry independent of government officials would restore that trust, he added.

Public inquiry

The synod heard that a public inquiry would be long and expensive.

But Bishop Thompson said the cost would be slight set against the catastrophe of the disease.

Last month Lord Whitty said the government would launch an inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis as soon as the outbreak has abated.

Independent investigation

But the minister for farming and the food industry did not say if it would be a public inquiry, which farmers and other organisations, including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, have been lobbying for.

The Countryside Alliance has also demanded a public inquiry.

In a letter to The Times on Monday, the alliance said the government would have to announce an open and independent investigation shortly.