Thousands back calls for full F&M story to be told in open
Thousands back calls for full F&M story to be told in open
As our campaign Say Yes to
a Public Inquiry draws to a
close, Mike Stones reviews
its success and reports plans
to deliver your signatures to
Downing Street
MORE than 112,000 people have pledged their support to our joint campaign for a full public inquiry into the causes and handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
In response to requests from our readers, farmers weekly launched its campaign in mid-July. Later that month, we joined forces with Horse&Hound magazine to lobby our combined readership. In August, both magazines teamed up with leading regional newspapers Western Morning News in Plymouth, The Western Mail in Cardiff and The Journal in Newcastle. Together we attracted massive support for a public inquiry into F&M from rural and urban readers alike. farmers weekly alone attracted nearly 25,000 signatures.
"Never before in our 67-year history has the magazine commanded such keen support from so many readers," said FW Editor, Stephen Howe. Campaign support grew after the government announced in August its three independent inquiries and a policy commission.
The Editors of farmers weekly, Horse&Hound and the three regional newspapers will deliver your signatures to Downing Street as soon as a date can be agreed with No 10. "We are looking forward to letting the Prime Minister know precisely how the country feels about his decision to hold F&M inquiries behind closed doors. Only the international crisis has prevented us from delivering them early this autumn," said Mr Howe.
The covering letter to Mr Blair, signed on behalf of each of the editors, appears on page 17.
SUPPORTGATHERED
farmers weekly 25,709
Horse&Hound 10,000
Western Morning News,
Plymouth 37,317
The Western Mail, Cardiff 11,000
The Journal, Newcastle 28,000
Total 112,026