Cash injection aims to help food industry

The government is to give the UK food and drink industry a £3m boost in its recovery from the effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

While half the money is expected to go towards promoting British produce abroad, the government has also promised three independent inquiries into the foot-and-mouth crisis.

However it has rejected calls for a full public inquiry, saying that it would be too costly and too time consuming.

While the £3 million cash injection has been welcomed by those worst hit by the disease, some claim the money is relatively small compared to the £100 billion created by the British food industry each year.

Meanwhile, three investigations have been announced to look at any lessons which could be learned from the crisis. These will consist of an examination of the government's handling of the outbreak, a scientific review and a commission on the future of farming and food.

There have been nearly 2,000 cases of foot-and-mouth across the UK, with over 3,500,000 animals slaughtered to date. (MB)