DEVON County Council public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis is to take place in October, it was announced yesterday (Wednesday).

The inquiry, being held in partnership with district councils like West Devon, will involve a series of public hearings between October 8 and 12 — and the council wants to hear relevant evidence from members of the public.

Cllr Brian Greenslade, chairman of the county's executive committee, said: 'It is important that together with our district council colleagues we learn the lessons of this outbreak and what conclusions we should draw for the future well-being of the economy.

'We want to draw on the experiences not only of those agencies directly involved in the outbreak, but also those of the wider community.'

Cllr Greenslade said the council had 'no intention' of scoring political points but wanted to collate an 'informed, evidenced-based report' which could be fed directly to the Government's three-strand inquiry announced last week.

The inquiry will examine the impact of foot and mouth on the economy, environment and health of Devon; the contribution Devon Recovery Plan can make to the future of agriculture and the rural economy; and the effectiveness of the response by various agencies to the outbreak.

Margaret Garton, West Devon borough councillor and chairman of the Devon Districts Forum, welcomed the inquiry and the fact it would be carried out in partnership with the borough.

She said: 'Elected representatives who have seen at first-hand the terrible effects of this outbreak are best placed to consider the evidence and produce an objective analysis of the situation.'

A public report on the committee's findings will be submitted to the appropriate national inquiry this autumn.

Members of the public are being invited to contribute their evidence by submitting any relevant points in writing no later than September 28.

This can be done electronically using the council website at http://www.devon.gov.uk">www.devon.gov.uk or by calling 01392 383444 and asking for an information pack and submission form.