Council inquiry to be webcast

Devon farmers will have their own public inquiry

A public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis is to be broadcast live on the internet.

Five BBC webcams will be used to transmit pictures from hearings being held at County Hall in Exeter from 8-12 October.

BBC Devon Online and Devon County Council will both transmit the full proceedings.

A special website will also provide background information for viewers, with a "who's who" guide to the inquiry's committee and a daily schedule of the hearings.

It is one of the first times such an inquiry has been accessible over the internet in the UK.

Five webcams will be used at County Hall in Exeter

Devon has had 173 confirmed cases of foot-and mouth disease, the second highest total in the UK.

The last was in mid-June, but movement restrictions are still in place because the county is still designated as "at risk".

Devon County Council announced it was to hold its own public inquiry into the crisis in August before the government announced it will be holding three separate - but not public - inquiries to look into various aspects of the disease outbreak.

More than 350 submissions have been sent to the council's inquiry offices.

They have come from agencies and special interest groups involved in responding to the outbreak, as well as farmers and other businesses affected by the crisis.

Public service

The inquiry will make recommendations to the government's investigations after looking at the impact of the disease, both on the environment and the local economy.

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

Devon County Council said the broadcasts were being provided as a service to the public and as an opportunity for anyone researching foot-and-mouth issues to follow the inquiry's progress.

Executive committee chairman Councillor Brian Greenslade said: "This innovative move underlines Devon County Council's commitment to open government and community leadership.

"We very much wanted this to be opportunity for people from all walks to life to make their contribution".

Full facts

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that it will take part in the inquiry.

A spokesman said: "Defra is participating with the inquiry by responding to written questions.

"If there are any follow-up questions after the hearings, we will also respond to those as well."

David Hill, the county chairman of the Devon National Farmers' Union (NFU) said: "We are very keen for all the full facts to emerge.

"If webcams will help bring out the facts and blow away the cobwebs, then we very much welcome it."