THE Anderson inquiry put forward more than 80 recommendations for handling future crises.

First and foremost, and central to them all, is the development of a national strategy for animal health and disease control.

The Government and Defra should work with farmers and representatives from the wider rural economy to draw it up.

A regular review of the strategy should be held with the Government producing a biennial report on the level of preparedness to tackle animal disease emergencies. The first should be published in 2003.

The strategy should allow pre-emptive culling policies "if justified by well-informed veterinary and scientific advice".

Emergency vaccination should be included in any future control strategy of foot and mouth.

The State Veterinary Service should maintain the capability to vaccinate in any future epidemic if the conditions are right.

On farming practices the inquiry recommends. -

The retention of the 20-day movement restrictions pending a detailed risk assessment and wide ranging cost-benefit analysis.

The development of a comprehensive livestock tracing system using electronic tags to cover cattle, sheep and pigs.

This should take account of developments at EU level but the Government should seek to lead the debate in Europe on this issue.

The continuation of the ban on swill-feeding catering waste containing meat products.

An up-to-date database of livestock, farming and marketing practices should be compiled by Government. It should include research to examine the evolution of regional livestock stocking densities and implications for disease risk and control.

The livestock industry should work with Government on a thorough review of the assurance and licensing options and identify those arrangements most likely to reward good practice and take-up of training.

Farm assurance schemes should take account of animal health and welfare, biosecurity, food safety and environmental issues.

On imports it recommends that. -

Defra should co-ordinate and step up all activities to keep illegal meat imports out of the country, including improved surveillance.

Best practice from other import regimes should be included where appropriate.

The European Commission should lead an approach designed to keep foot-and-mouth out of EU member states.

On veterinary matters recommendations include. -

Maintaining an integrated State Veterinary Service for Great Britain, rather than a devolved service in Scotland.

As many functions as possible should be relocated from London to regional centres, particularly to Scotland and Wales.

A reappraisal of local veterinary inspectors' roles and conditions.

The development and increased use of veterinary "paramedics".

The SVS should consider forming a national network of "flying squad" teams capable of responding to an alert.

The SVS should be routinely equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic tools to allow greater speed and accuracy of diagnosis.

Other recommendations include. -

The earliest consultation with the military for advice and possible support.

Access for farmers, vets and others in the livestock industry to training in bio-security measures and the development of codes of good practice.

Agricultural colleges should include bio-security training in their courses and Defra should commission a handbook for farmers which identifies animal diseases and gives the appropriate response.

Defra should commission research into its communications during the foot-and-mouth crisis so lessons can be learnt, acted upon and the results published.

A communication strategy should be developed to ensure swift but clear and concise information is passed to its regional offices