THE We Say column in the Evening News (Tuesday May 1) made it very clear that we must have a public inquiry into the spread of foot-and-mouth.

It must be totally independent and get all the facts out into the open. If the Government fails to do this they will have no credibility left.

We need to know why the Ministry of Agricultural did not take up the offer of 100 vets, livestock valuers and men trained in humane slaughter until five weeks after they were recruited and made available to the Ministry by the Countryside Alliance and the Masters of Fox Hounds Association.

The question of why the armed forces were called in so late to clear up the mess must be answered. We need to know if foot-and-mouth was imported on beef from Brazil where the disease is very common.

This meat is brought into this country to feed the army because it is cheap. While this is happening, our farmers are going bankrupt after producing the best beef in the world.

The tourist industry would like to find out why Ministers gave out conflicting messages about visiting the countryside, leaving them to face ruin.

These and many more questions to be answered. When the last animal carcase is buried or burned and we are free of this disease, we will wait for an inquiry Mr Blair, but not for too long. Remember the Countryside March was only postponed, not cancelled altogether.

ALAN COOK,

Bishops Frome,

near Worcester.