The long-awaited public inquiry into the origin and spread of BSE and its human equivalent, CJD, is opening in London.

The chairman, Lord Justice Phillips, will invite anyone who can help establish the facts about the two diseases to make contact with his staff.

Farmers, consumers and the victims of CJD, the human strain of BSE, are looking for answers as to why the crisis was allowed to develop, and who is to blame.

Many farmers who face financial ruin have grown frustrated with waiting for the British Government, Europe and their own union, the NFU, to restore their livelihoods.

The BBC's Mike Donkin on manoeuvre with the Farmers Army in North Wales (Dur: 1' 17")

Hundreds have joined together into what they call the "Farmers Army".

They first hit the headlines at the end of 1997 when hundreds of farmers blockaded the port of Holyhead in Wales.

The farmers threw 40 tons of hamburger meat into the sea in protest at cheap imports.

Welsh farmer Clive Swan said his income has been cut by 50% since the start of the crisis.

He said he wants all imported meat to be labeled so the consumer can choose whether to support the domestic beef industry.

Roger Tomkins, the father of a CJD victim, said he will be following the inquiry very carefully.

His 24-year-old daughter Claire is dying of CJD even though she has been a vegetarian for 13 years.

He has said that he wants CJD to be renamed Human-BSE so the direct link with mad cow disease is clear.

He hopes the investigation will find where to lay the blame for the crisis and ensure that it never happens again.

The inquiry is due to take several months to complete and will issue a report in December 1998.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©