News story

17th June 2002

Steve Webb to give evidence to visiting Euro Parliament Foot & Mouth Inquiry Team

Northavon MP Steve Webb will this week give evidence to a high-powered delegation of Euro MPs who are investigating the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. A twenty-strong delegation of MEPs will be holding a meeting at the Premier Lodge Hotel at Alveston on Friday 21st June between 6.30pm and 8.15pm where they will hear evidence from expert witnesses including local MP Steve Webb. The committee of MEPs is travelling around Britain to find out more about the consequences of the Foot and Mouth crisis, and Steve Webb will be briefing them on the wider effects of the crisis, not only on local farmers but on rural businesses more generally.

Steve Webb said:

“I am pleased that the European Parliament has launched this six-month investigation into the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. The crisis reminded us how interdependent are the different parts of the rural economy. Foot and Mouth brought devastation not only for farmers but also for many others whose livelihood depends on the rural economy. I will be stressing to the visiting MEPs that local businesses are still feeling the after-effects of the outbreak and need ongoing support to recover”.

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