Call for outbreak inquiry in Durham

County Durham had 85 cases of the disease

Farmers in County Durham are calling for a public inquiry into the handling of the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the county.

Other areas, including nearby Northumberland and Cumbria, have held their own inquiries.

They identified the failings and problems that planners should be aware of if there is ever another outbreak of the disease.

Now farmers in the county want a similar inquiry to be held in County Durham.

'Farmers forgotten'

The county had 85 cases of the disease last year but animal stocks are now getting back to pre-foot-and-mouth levels.

In Tow Law, 45,000 culled animals are buried at the Inkerman site.

Angela Jewitt farms near the animal burial site, and says she feels as though the government has forgotten them.

She said: "Northumberland have had their inquiry and Cumbria's report was published on Friday.

"But all we have is the government's various different inquiries which don't address the issues here.

"Tony Blair seems more concerned about travelling round the world than addressing problems at home."

A spokesman for Durham County Council said it had drawn up a special emergency plan to tackle any future outbreak of the disease in the county.

'Best practice'

He said this was only formulated after a close study of the effects of the disease in the county.

The spokesman said: "The plan, which will also serve to address outbreaks of other infectious animal diseases, will draw upon the knowledge and experience of people involved in coping with last year's outbreak.

"It will also be informed by the experience gained by other local authorities who had responded to the crisis and by the public inquiries that have been held, to ensure that best practice is taken on board."

The Cumbria Inquiry found the emergency plan drawn up by the government to tackle any future foot-and-mouth outbreak was not adequate and recommended it be revised.