Sir, - After the spectre of foot-and-mouth disease raised its head recently on a farm near Thirsk (thankfully a false alarm), farmers throughout our region are living in dread of this disease striking again.

Yet it seems, since last year's devastating outbreak, nothing has changed in farming practice to prevent a recurrence of the disease. Live

stock markets have reopened, movements of animals have resumed as farmers re-stock, and long distance transportation of animals is getting going again. In other words, business exactly as before.

If circumstances in the country favoured an outbreak of FMD last year, then they do so this year too and will continue to do so until the farming community takes positive steps to tackle this threat.

Isn't it now time for farmers to look at ways of preventing FMD, or at least minimising the likelihood of a recurrence?

It occurs to me that the entire national herd is in a state of vulnerability because the animals are permanently stressed. There is far too much transporting of animals; every journey, no matter how short, is a terrifying ordeal for an animal. Also, young animals are taken from their mothers at much too early an age - two or three days for a dairy animal, three or four months for a lamb.

Finally, the land is overstocked. There are too many animals, which puts a strain on them and also on the land. If these issues alone were to be addressed, it would be a start.

PATRICIA RAMSAY

East Cowton.

Better things to do

Sir, - After all the countryside has suffered during the past 18 months, with appalling floods, lack of tourists, foot-and-mouth, DEFRA movement regulations and farming in the doldrums.

I question whether now is the time for this urbanised government to try to ban or regulate hunting with hounds.

Is it not surprising that Mr Blair does not have more important issues to deal with, such as the transport chaos, NHS incompetence and the mercurial justice system?

CLARISSA COLLIN

Pockley,

York.

Home truths

Sir, - I refer to William Maynes letter (D&S Mar 8). I would like to point out that my home is just that - a home - not a public gallery where Willie et al can feel free to make public any mischievous comment on what is presented on its walls.

I wonder if it was the works of my father, my son, my aunt or myself which made him recoil in horror, or did the pen and ink drawings of a past president of the Royal Academy give him his convulsions.

Anyone (if there is anyone) contemplating inviting Willie into their home be warned - he may not defer to the protocol most of us accept as governing such occasions. Willie doesn't run that risk does he, hiding behind a care of address.

ANDREW BARR

Avon Street,

Saltburn.