The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee announced its inquiry into the implications of the collapse of DFB today Wednesday (July 22). The cross-party committee of MPs said it would consider in particular:

• The impact of the collapse of DFB on dairy farmers and the industry.

• The governance and accountability structures of DFB.

• Defra's response to the collapse.

• The causes of the collapse and the lessons to be learned from it.

The committee stressed, however, that it does not intend to consider the issues surrounding the receivership of the dairy cooperative. These are expected to be covered in a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Efra inquiry will take on added significance after Defra Secretary Hilary Benn ruled out a Government inquiry into the collapse during a recent Commons debate.

The Efra committee is asking interested parties to submit their views on the matters covered by the inquiry in writing by August 31.

Further submissions, after a meeting held by the receivers on September 7, will be considered. A programme of oral evidence will be announced in due course.

For details on how to submit evidence, see the Efra website: www.parliament.uk/efracom