Public Inquiry – what they said
19 October 2001
Public Inquiry – what they said
| OVER 100,000 people backed our call for a public inquiry into foot-and-mouth. Here are some of their comments: |
“ITS a fantastic response. There are too many unanswered questions about the origins of foot-and-mouth. “The governments inquiries may provide valuable information, but if the government has nothing to hide, then it has nothing to fear from a public inquiry.”
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“Last weeks Devon Inquiry demonstrates how the foot-and-mouth crisis can be investigated publicly with dignity and integrity. “We maintain the three government inquiries must be held in public and must publish their findings so that everyone can have confidence in the process and the outcome.” Anthony Bosanquet, CLA president |
“There is an absolute need for a public inquiry. It would also be an opportunity for those who have suffered dreadfully to tell their story. “One hundred thousand signatures are impressive and show the significant concern.”
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“We remain convinced that a public inquiry is necessary and justified. “Although we do not diminish the inquiries in place, they fall a long way short of what the public expects. “The numbers signing petitions show that people want the issues to be thrashed out in public and only a public inquiry can provide those answers.” Malcolm Bruce, Lib-Dem shadow Defra secretary |
“One hundred thousand people concerned enough to demand the government listens to their need for transparency and openness should be taken as a serious indication that a full public inquiry is all the British people will accept in trying to find out what went wrong.”
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“Its an impressive result. The NBA was the first organisation to call for a public inquiry in March. “What worries us is how the conduct of the foot-and-mouth campaign was influenced by pre-election thoughts in Downing Street. The only way an answer to that question is to hold a public inquiry.” Robert Forster, National Beef Association chief executive |
“Farming deserves a full and rapid inquiry into the foot-and-mouth outbreak after the devastation that has been caused to establish better ways to tackle such a problem should it every happen again. “We are pleased that this petition reflects that view.”
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“A hundred thousand signatures will send a strong message to government that not only radical groups support a public inquiry but ordinary working folks. “But unless we have a massive peaceful demonstration in London, with similar numbers to the Countryside March, Tony Blair will shut his ears.” David Handley, Farmers for Action chairman |
| “We support the need for a thorough investigation into foot-and-mouth both its origins and handling. Lessons must be learnt. “Although we would supply information to a public inquiry, we do not want to see another investigation along the lines of the Phillips inquiry into BSE. “That cost millions of pounds, took years to prepare and gave no real answers.”
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“The Farmers Union of Wales gives unqualified support to farmers weeklys campaign to force government to hold a public inquiry. “The inquiries announced so far do not go nearly far enough to get at the truth. It is a great shame that the government appears to be running scared of a public inquiry.”
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“On a UK scale, it is very important that everything comes out in the open and if that means a public inquiry, then we are comfortable with that. “One hundred thousand signatures is a powerful mandate for a public inquiry. It demonstrates the publics desire to find out the truth about foot-and-mouth.”
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“A public inquiry, in the proper sense, is the only way we can get at all the information. But it must be quick, delivered within three months and in prcis form. “It should not be a whole history which delivers a lorry load of paper work and a massive bill.”
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| “The level of support for your campaign illustrates the extent of public concern at what they perceive to be total mismanagement of science. It will be difficult for the government not to agree to a public inquiry.”
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| Readers demand public inquiry |
| 100,000 want truth on foot-and-mouth |
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