NFU president Ben Gill is to give evidence to the EU inquiry into Britain's foot-an-and-mouth epidemic on Monday, April 8.

Ahead of his trip to Strasbourg to relate the experiences of British farmers during the crisis last year, Mr Gill said: " The farming community and all those who suffered deserve an independent and open investigation such as this.

"I intend to provide useful input of our experiences of issues like research and development, disease monitoring and control methods.

This inquiry is vital if the whole of Europe is to be properly equipped to tackle any future outbreak."

L Members of the European Parliament's inquiry into last year's foot-and-mouth crisis are to visit Cumbria to gather evidence.

MEPs taking part in the inquiry will visit Cumbria, Northumberland and Scotland between April 18 and 20 before moving on to Wales and the South West.

Evidence for the inquiry should be sent to: Mme Redondo, MEP, President of the Foot-and-Mouth Inquiry, European Parliament, Rue Wiertz B-1047,

Brussels or E-mailed to: DG2-FIAP Correspondence@europarl.eu.int

Alternatively, evidence can be sent to: Caroline Lucas, MEP, Vice President Foot-and-Mouth Inquiry, European Parliament, Office 8G103, Rye Wiertz B1047, Brussels.

Fax +32-2284-9153, or e-mail clucas@europarl.eu.int

Members of the EU inquiry also hope to hold some public meeting during the visit.