WEST Devon is likely to bear the brunt of the foot and mouth crisis in Devon, according to new figures released by the county council.

The predictions, produced by the council and the Agricultural Economics Unit at Exeter University, suggest some 2,300 job losses with a loss of income to the borough of 20.65 per cent.

Three thousand jobs are expected to go in North Devon, where the loss of income is predicted as 11.15 per cent. Torridge will lose 1,730 jobs and 14.27 per cent of its income and 1,067 jobs will disappear in Mid Devon, where loss of income is predicted at 7.65 per cent.

Overall, more than 13,000 jobs could be lost — 3,000 more than projections at the beginning of the crisis.

And the total amount lost to the economy in tourism, agriculture and their related industries could top £470-million over a 12-month period.

The breakdown shows 1,555 jobs lost in agriculture and ancillary industries with a loss in gross domestic product — GDP — of £114-million over 12 months and 11,400 jobs in tourism and related industries with a loss in GDP of £357 million.

l Devon County Council has called for a full public inquiry into the handling of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The call came after a major debate on the impact of the disease on the county at the last full council meeting.

Councillors were concerned at MAFF's handling of the outbreak. They called on the Government to set up a public inquiry and take vigorous action to address shortcomings.

The council also urged the Government to respond positively to the needs expressed in the Devon Draft Recovery Plan, which aims at overcoming some of the hardships created by the crisis.

Leader of Devon County Council Brian Greenslade said the speed and extent of the foot and mouth outbreak took everyone by surprise and would have caused a Government of any political persuasion severe problems. But he added there was widespread concern over the poor response of MAFF in dealing with the crisis.

'Rather than simply seeking to blame anyone it is vital that we look closely at what has happened and learn the lessons for the future and learn them quickly. This is why we are calling for a full public inquiry and officers from the county have now been asked to begin preparing a Devon submission to any such inquiry,' he said.

l There have been no new outbreaks of foot and mouth in West Devon since May 1, when a case was reported at Broadwoodwidger.

Elsewhere in Devon, a case was confirmed at Chulmleigh on Monday. The total number of cases in the county stands at 166.

As of last Sunday, May 27, 378,318 animals have been killed since the outbreak began. 377,820 carcasses have been disposed of — 498 are still awaiting disposal.

This figure represents approximately 15 per cent of the total stock population of Devon.