NORTH Yorkshire MPs pushing for a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak welcomed the threat of a probe by an influential Westminster committee.
The environment, food and rural affairs select committee stopped short of demanding a public hearing.
But its report on the impact of the disease said there were "strong arguments" in favour of such a move.
They warned they would hold their own in-depth investigation into the crisis if the Government's inquiries failed to answer key questions.
These include whether a contingency plan is in place in the event of a
repeat of last year's outbreak. They also want to know why the Government's policy on culling animals changed twice during the course of the disease. They also said more attention should also be given to the role of imported meat in introducing disease to the country.
Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said she believed there were already strong enough grounds for the committee to hold a public inquiry.
Updated: 09:10 Thursday, January 31, 2002
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