Thank you for your views

The Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry has struck a powerful chord with the people of Devon. Since the Inquiry was announced over 350 detailed submissions have been sent to the Inquiry’s co-ordinating unit at County Hall, Exeter.

The deadline for submissions has now passed and intensive work is underway finalising the details for the hearings in public which will be held at County Hall over five days between October 8 and 12.

The Inquiry thanks everyone who has taken the time and trouble to make a contribution to this important task. Evidence has been received from people from all walks of life including farmers, vets, hoteliers, holiday attraction owners, business people, MPs, MEPs, clergy, headteachers and local councillors.

Many key organisations such as the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are committed to providing written evidence to the Inquiry and a number of other agencies have already indicated they are prepared to appear at the Inquiry's hearings in public.

These include: The Countryside Agency, Country Land and Business Association, Clinton Devon Estates, Dartmoor National Park, Devon Association of Parish Councils, Devon County Council, Devon Districts Forum, Devon and Cornwall Police, English Nature, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, North and East Devon Health Authority, Ramblers Association, RSPCA, Seale Hayne College, South West Tourism and the Women's Institute.

The Inquiry co-ordinating unit will have contacted all those witnesses the Inquiry would like to hear more from in person at the hearings. If you have submitted evidence, but have not been approached to appear at the hearings this does not mean your contribution is not valued. All of the evidence and views submitted will be taken into careful account when the Inquiry prepares its official report for publication later in the autumn. In many cases the written submissions provide sufficient detail without further investigation.

If you have made a submission please be aware that your contact details and any points you have contributed will form part of a public record of the Inquiry and maybe included in the Inquiry’s official report which will be published on the Internet and publicly available in other formats.

Further information is available from the Local Government Information Centre on 01392 383444 or by email at Logical@devon.gov.uk.