Devon launches farm disease inquiry

Devon farmers will have their own public inquiry

A public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth outbreak has been launched in Devon, following the government's refusal to hold one.

Brian Greenslade, joint leader of Devon County Council, said it would complement the government's three independent inquiries.

He said: "We can't force officials from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to take part.

"But if they don't, that would cause frustration."

The council had already promised an investigation before the government announced its own inquiries.

Devon has been badly hit by the epidemic

Councillor Greenslade said: "We've obviously had to rethink how we are going to hold the inquiry, since the government made its announcement.

"We recognised the frustration in the county, and that people felt they wouldn't be able to put their views to a public inquiry.

"I hope that if the strength is coming up from the grass roots, the government will take notice."

The Devon findings will be sent to the government.

Inquiry website

Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry Committee will hold public hearings at County Hall, Exeter, from 8-12 October.

The public can contribute in writing or via the council's website, by 28 September.

The inquiry could help rebuild Devon's economy

The council's Labour leader, Saxon Spence, said: "If we are to rebuild our rural economy for the future, we need ideas about how we can develop local skills to meet the challenges ahead"

Conservative group leader Christine Channon said: "Tourism and agriculture are at a bridgehead in Devon.

"Recovery is going to be dependent on the speed with which we put new policies into place."

The inquiry findings will be used to support funding bids for the county's economic recovery plan.

The government's three-stranded investigation will examine transmission, prevention and control of epidemics, and the future of farming and food.