Why is there such panic and slaughter over foot and mouth disease?

The disease does not harm people and rarely kills adult animals.

The answer lies in the Government's statement it "causes significant loss of productivity".

In other words, farmers lose money.

Today's industrial methods of farming and movement of live animals have been responsible for a number of human health scares in recent years.

They prefer to slaughter than vaccinate because it is cheaper to do.

As is usually the case, the industry creates the problem and is then heavily compensated by us, the taxpayers, for any alleged loss.

If people find this wrong, and are disgusted by the scenes of slaughter and burning, they should remember what goes on behind closed doors in slaughterhouses every working day.

Please think of becoming vegetarian. With the standards of the livestock industry, it is becoming far easier to do these days.

ROBERT ROACH

Address supplied