WEST Devon residents are being invited to act as ?jurors? in a countywide rural research project. The University of Exeter is assembling a citizens? jury to look at water course pollution, and to consider the impact livestock farming may have. Scientific evidence and expert witnesses will be presented, and the deliberations of the jury will be reported directly to Defra, the government department with responsibility for sustainable rural development. The pollution of stream and rivers comes in many different forms. Micro-organisms occur in bathing waters and can get into the food chain, causing public health problems, including E-coli infection and other gastro-intestinal illness. The jury will examine how livestock farming could cause these microbial pollution problems and will evaluate the strategies society might take to reduce them. Expert witnesses will be called to provide evidence, with contributions from farmers, scientists, water companies, Government advisers, the National Farmers? Union, supermarkets and pressure groups. The jury process will also include a farm visit to examine some of these issues. Up to 14 local people from across Devon are to be recruited to meet in Exeter and Okehampton for two days in autumn. No prior knowledge of the issues is necessary, and researchers are hoping for a good spread of people and experience. Payment will be offered to jurors, and will include an overnight stay. People interested in taking part should contact Dr Rob Fish on 01392 252498 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
