AN INQUIRY which aims to prevent a repeat of last year's devastating foot and mouth outbreak is to visit North Yorkshire next month.

The independent inquiry examining the lessons to be learned from the epidemic will visit Northallerton, Thirsk, Helmsley and Skipton between April 3 and April 5 and will hold a public meeting in Harrogate.

Dr Iain Anderson, chairman of the inquiry, will visit the key local sites and host meetings to listen to people's views and impressions of what could be done in the future to ease the impact of an animal disease outbreak.

The visit to North Yorkshire is the final visit in a series of six around Britain to see first-hand those areas most badly affected by the disease.

Dr Anderson and the inquiry team were looking to receive as broad a range of views as possible, all of which will contribute to the final report giving recommendations to the Government for the handling of any future animal disease outbreak.

Dr Anderson said: "North Yorkshire had to cope with the long tail of this epidemic as well as the suspected case at the end of February this year, which thankfully proved negative.

"Both tourism and farming were affected in differing measures and in different ways, but with the same outcome - incredible hardship.

"I am determined to hear the facts of this suffering to inform my report fully and properly so that I can present the lessons to be learned for the future. That is the purpose of this visit."

A public meeting is being organised for the evening of Thursday, April 4, and will be held at the Wesleyan Chapel in Harrogate at 7pm.

Dr Anderson and members of his inquiry team will wish to hear details, listen to views and opinions, as well as receive written submissions, of how the epidemic affected the region. Earlier in the day and on the following day, Dr Anderson will meet representatives of the groups most affected by the crisis as well as the key players involved in tackling the disease - including those in the local community, businesses, farming and tourism.

Again, Dr Anderson will be listening to their views and gathering information for the inquiry's report.

Updated: 11:39 Monday, March 25, 2002