Lessons learned inquiry begins
14 December 2001
‘Lessons learned’ inquiry begins
By Isabel Davies
THE inquiry into the lessons to be learned from foot-and-mouth has been formally launched after months of waiting for the epidemic to end.
The inquiry, one of three announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett in August, is being chaired by Dr Iain Anderson.
Its aim is to develop a view on the way that the government should handle any future animal disease outbreaks in the UK.
It is due to report back to Prime Minister Tony Blair within six months.
Dr Anderson said it was essential lessons were learned as foot-and-mouth was one of the most traumatic events since the Second World War.
“Today, there has been no confirmed case of foot and mouth disease since 30 September: It is now time for this independent Inquiry to begin.
“The inquiry will be inclusive, and seeks views from everyone as to what lessons should be learned from the catastrophic outbreak of foot-and-mouth.”
The Country Land and Business Association said it was pleased the inquiry was about to start, but it was worried about the integrity of its findings.
CLA president Edward Greenwell said the organisation had always believed the inquiries must be held in public.
“The foot-and-mouth outbreak affected millions of people in all sorts of ways, many of which were wholly unexpected and highly damaging.
“People need to be reassured that this inquiry, in particular, asked the right questions and got the right answers.”
A spokeswoman from the National Farmers Union said it was preparing a submission to go into the inquiry in the New Year.
The inquiry has published a framework document which sets out the general approach Dr Anderson wants to take and a rough timetable.
Foot-and-mouth – confirmed outbreaks |
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Foot-and-mouth – FWi coverage |
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Recovery plan – Full coverage |