A PUBLIC inquiry by the European Parliament into the Government's handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis could be under way within months, MEPs claimed yesterday.

European MPs claim they already have the backing of 25 per cent of the parliament - the number needed for an inquiry to go ahead.

And if the inquiry committee is formally agreed by European MPs, then Government ministers could be asked to give evidence.

Speaking yesterday, Robert Goodwill, Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and Humberside, said he sent a letter to former Minister for Agriculture Nick Brown, asking if he would be willing to give evidence in the inquiry.

Mr Goodwill, who farms near York, said: "We are certain that our push for an open and public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis will go ahead in Europe.

"I have just sent a letter to Nick Brown which states that it will be necessary for him to give evidence in the inquiry, which we hope to get under way before the end of the year."

Tony Blair has steadfastly refused to order a public investigation into the disease, despite fears by farmers that key information could be swept under the carpet.

Read more about foot-and-mouth here.