FURIOUS farmers have condemned the Government's handling of the foot-and-mouth epidemic as they came face to face with the man heading the Lessons Learned inquiry.

More than 100 farmers and rural traders packed a church hall for the final public meeting held by the inquiry team, led by Dr Iain Anderson, which will recommend how to cope with any future outbreak.

Anger was directed at the Government and Army for their attempts to manage the crisis.

During the two-hour meeting in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, farmers said there had been a lack of understanding of rural affairs.

Thirsk farmer Kevin Littleboy said the people operating helplines had been of little use to desperate callers, saying one had even asked him if a ram was male or female.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh stressed the importance of a comprehensive inquiry to ensure past mistakes were not repeated.

She said: "We were told there would be a contingency plan. But after the outbreak reached Thirsk we were told it did not cover North Yorkshire."

Demands for an independent public inquiry were greeted by cheers, although this has already been rejected by the High Court.

Afterwards, Dr Anderson said: "This is not a second-best inquiry. We are being open and inclusive."