Blair should back foot-and-mouth public inquiry

Friends of the Earth criticised Tony Blair for failing to back Michael Meacher's call for a public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth disaster. Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth Campaigns Director, said: "Mr Meacher's call for a public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth disease was perfectly sensible. So why has Tony Blair forced him to back down? Could it be that he doesn't want a transparent and public investigation into Britain's latest farming fiasco? Last month, the Prime Minister promised to review the long-term future of agriculture. This was welcome news. But if Mr Blair really wants to move towards agricultural sustainability this whole debate must be held in public and not merely reviewed behind closed doors."

FOE is calling for a complete review of agricultural practices including:

increased funding for agri-environment schemes and a cap on subsidies to unsustainable intensive farming
a moratorium on GM crop planting
a review of how to protect family farmers from unfair trading practices that favour massive food companies and food retailers
a major research programme into sustainable farming including a plan to expand the area of organically farmed land to 30 per cent by 2010 so that UK farmers can profit from the larger demand for organic food
directing the regional development agencies to work with farmers and consumers to reinvigorate local food production and retailing.