COUNCILLORS who have seen their communities ravaged by the effects of foot-and-mouth disease are backing calls for a public inquiry.
Hambleton District Council, which has launched a £100,000 fighting fund to help rural recovery, is supporting the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in a bid to force an independent inquiry.
Council leader June Imeson said: "This disease has devastated the rural economy in the United Kingdom. Hambleton has been particularly badly affected.
"Whilst farmers have been badly hit, other sectors of the economy are affected, with our once thriving tourist industry now struggling.
"It is vital that the Government establishes exactly why this outbreak occurred and ensures measures are in place to prevent it happening again."
Members of the district council's cabinet have also approved hardship grants of more than £18,000 for businesses affected by the outbreak
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article