UK Government announces 3 more inquiries into FMD epidemic
all are semi-judicial (not fully public) and will start after the epidemic ends
there are already 7 other enquiries underway into aspects of the FMD crisis, particularly the financial aspects
- Policy Commission: will examine the government's handling of the crisis in England, Wales & Scotland, expected to take 6 months. It will be chaired by Dr Iain Anderson, of oil company BP. He is expected to make recommendations on the way authorities
should react to future animal disease epidemics.
- Scientific Commission: under the Royal Society, will examine veterinary and animal management aspects e.g. where did it come from, how did it spread, should vaccination have been used, lessons for the future, report expected Summer 2002. Under chairmanship of Sir Brian Follett FRS, it will study the threat posed by the 15 most dangerous epidemic ("List A") diseases of farm animals - including swine fever (see our archive of last year's outbreaks in UK) which caused big problems in 2000. It will consider questions relating to transmission, prevention and control of epidemics.Royal Society press release
- Commission on Future of Farming & Food: will examine options for development of farming industry & food policy in U.K.
Environment (DEFRA) Minister, Margaret Beckett, interrupted her caravan holiday in France to announce the inquiries. She said that there would NOT be an "all singing all dancing" public inquiry - i.e. much of the proceedings will be in private.
The third new foot and mouth disease crisis inquiry, the policy commission on the future
of farming and food will be chaired by Sir Don Curry, former head of the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC). official announcement
 Details of all 10 enquiries into FMD crisis: Guardian
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