WE would like to thank the hundreds of people who took the time to sign our petition calling on the Government to hold a full public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis.

We would also like to thank the many people who kindly displayed the petition in their premises.

In all, 829 people signed our petitions. There will be more signatures - though we don't know how many - for several people requested forms to circulate outside our circulation area which they were to send directly to the organisers. In addition, some users of our ThisisRyedale web site will have signed the petition electronically.

Our petitions have now been sent to the Foot & Mouth Truth Campaign, in time for the deadline, which is today, November 15.

The signatures will be used to urge the Government to order an independent and transparent public inquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 with proper rules of procedure, including the power to call and compel witnesses on oath and to require the production of papers and evidence:

* to analyse the causes, the progress and the administration of the outbreak and the adequacy of measures taken to investigate and to remedy the outbreak;

* to make recommendations for the prevention of any recurrence, with respect to financial compensation and relief for all those affected and the European Union rules which apply in this respect and as regards the future of agriculture and connected interests and those of the rural, tourist and business community and the environment.

We have asked the national organisers of the campaign to keep us informed of progress.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, November 15, 2001