Sir, - The consecutive statements made by the Animal Health Minister, Mr Elliot Morley, "Hope of early news on cleaning review" (D&S, Aug 3) referring to "the remarkable achievements of our staff in bringing (foot-and-mouth disease) under control" and then stating that "this has been the world's worst outbreak" are completely contradictory. They also smack of complacency in the extreme.

What is worse however, is the total veil of secrecy which the government continues to draw over the whole dreadful affair.

Why, for instance, are footpaths in North Yorkshire opened now when they have been closed during the months of March to July when the outbreak was less severe in this area?

Why are thousands of sheep culled on the Brecon Beacons on the basis merely that a few of them have antibodies present in their system and yet none is actually found with the disease?

And, most importantly of all, why is vaccination not now adopted, as the case for its use is now overwhelming? It appears not to be widely known, and certainly not publicised, that diagnostic kits are now available which not only identify FMD but overcome one of the initial drawbacks in that they are able to differentiate between infected animals and vaccinated ones.

These are some of the questions which we have a right to have answered, and this is why it is essential not to accept the watered-down inquiry which the government would wish, but to have a full public inquiry on the subject.

RICHARD MEERES

Glebe Cottage,

Scruton.

When will it stop?

Sir, - When is there an end to this animal genocide?

No momentary compensation can ever replace the destruction of a whole way of life, and the effect it will have on our countryside.

It has to stop now. If it did there would still be a chance of maintaining stock, particularly in the high ground areas.

The Dutch wiped out the disease in their country, and Ireland contained and irradicated it. If Scotland's own administration kept their problems in check, why then does it still run amok here?

The continued chaos raises many questions including whether the origins of the disease actually manifested itself through pigs at Heddon on the Wall, and why, when the disease was seriously out of control, did advice from experts go unheeded?

Why is there now a total lack of trust between farmers, government vets and officials?

To turn all blame on farmers for spreading the disease is ludicrous and insulting but does it confirm the government is struggling to keep the spotlight from itself as demands for a public inquiry strengthen daily.

P GOLD

Old Byland,

Nr Thirsk.

Lessons learned

Sir, - I agree with the basic sentiment of those Bagby villagers who commented on the distressing scenes in our village last week. However, it was even more distressing to see children allowed to play amongst the lorries, surely parental responsibility has a distinct role in this instance.

Like it or not the people from Defra had an unpleasant job to do. They had no choice, unlike those who left the area for the day. I understand that photographs were taken and offered to this newspaper thus proliferating the horror and increasing the misery of those who had lost stock. As for the "rubber-neckers", let these macabre sad people have their day, they made their choice too.

This sorry episode now over, I join with the rest of the village in hoping that lessons were learnt; let the issue now lie.

CHRIS WARE

School House,

Bagby.

What bio-security?

Sir, - Bio-security seems to be the Defra buzz word for the last two to three weeks. It is a pity it had not done more about bio-security two to three months ago!

When overpaid slaughter/carcass disposal teams were working in the Whitby area they frequented pubs in the Thirsk area on their way home often in dirty blood stained clothing!

When foot-and-mouth outbreaks moved to the Northallerton area, local contractors were often used to load carcasses into lorries. The same loaders were in some cases used days later in silage fields on clean farms?

Today, Monday, the duffers from Defra, Leeds, York and Northallerton are on strike over pay differentials. But Defra assures us it will have no effect on bio-security? But it must slow the paper chase all surviving livestock farmers have to endure to move or send to slaughter.

Unfortunately small livestock farmers cannot strike as animals need feeding and milking seven days a week. Those farmers/stockmen fortunate enough to have stock foot-and-mouth-free in most cases will not have dared to take a holiday for the past six months and possibly will not be able to take holiday for another six months.

T CROSBY

Long Street,

Easingwold.

Support

Sir, - Not everybody is on the bandwagon to obtain money out of the foot-and-mouth fiasco.

Our local, the Queen Catherine, was asked to accommodate Defra staff for two weeks. Knowing the Queen has had a difficult year, the money could have been a great asset.

But the landlord, Mr Robert Woof, supporting his customers and friends in the area, has refused.

I would like to thank him on behalf of all the local farmers. This was a very supporting gesture.

RUSSELL SIMPSON

Green Hills,

Osmotherley.