Protesters seek full disease inquiry

David Handley wants Tony Blair to listen to farmers

Farmers in Wales join hundreds from around the UK to march in London calling for a full public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Monmouthshire farmer David Handley travelled to the capital on Monday to lead around 600 protesters in a bid to persuade Tony Blair to hold a full and open investigation, rather than three "mini" inquiries.

The London march marks six months since the crisis began.

The cost of dealing with foot-and-mouth has been enormous

Mr Handley said he believed searching questions would have to be asked of the role of the government and the National Farmers Union in handling the crisis.

"If no-one has to be brought to account, then no-one has anything to fear from a full public inquiry.

"We are doing this for the good of the industry. We want to leave a healthy farming industry for the next generation and the one after that.

"The crisis has cost this country billions and it has not finished yet."

Mr Handley said he expected protesters from Galloway, in Scotland, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Wales, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire.

Without the custodians of the land, Mr Blair should know he has nothing to offer anyone

David Handley, protest leader

The demonstration began near Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park around lunchtime and will work their way to 10 Downing Street, where petitions with more than 8,000 signatures will be handed in.

Mr Handley - who led the People's Fuel Lobby last November - said further protests would be held to hammer home the message of farmers.

"I have stated this will be a peaceful demonstration," he told BBC News Online Wales.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,960 - with 118 in Wales

Powys - 78

Anglesey - 13

Monmouthshire - 21

Caerphilly - 2

Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1

Neath Port Talbot -1

Newport - 3

"There will be a lot more demonstrations if Mr Blair refuses to listen.

"We are doing this for the good of the industry. We want to leave a healthy farming industry for the next generation and the one after that."

Mr Handley claimed the prime minister's concerns for the tourism industry over those of farmers were not justifiable.

"What Tony Blair has not said is that £1bn a year comes from farm tourism. People come to the UK to see a working, living countryside.

"Without the custodians of the land, Mr Blair should know he has nothing to offer anyone."

Mr Handley, a tenant farmer with 88 acres in Monmouthshire, began the foot-and-mouth crisis with a herd of 100 dairy cows.

That figure was now down to 70 and he said his family is "struggling to make ends meet".

Mr Handley - one of the leaders of last year's fuel protests - said he had helped out a local contractor this summer to "pay the bills".