Shame on you

Since March 27, when the first of three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth were discovered in the Danby Wiske area, all the farm livestock including pet animals on 22 holdings have been culled in a desperate attempt to halt the further spread of the disease.

I cannot begin to describe the trauma my neighbours and myself have been through wondering when we were going to be the next to receive the terrible telephone call informing us that our apparently healthy animals were to be culled and all that followed.

Despite the narrow roads being closed off to the public as the wagons brought fuel to the pyres and the slaughtered animals were loaded and transported, several cyclists rode through Streetlam, some of them even after being stopped and reminded by myself of the presence of the disease in the locality.

Even though their brains appeared not to be engaged, I presumed they were breathing. I believe the virus can be carried in a human's breath for up to three days as well in the mud that was unavoidably covering the road.

I wonder how many unaffected farms and smallholdings these very selfish people passed after cycling through this infected area before reaching their homes. "The countryside is open" cannot apply to infected areas.

(Mrs) JUDITH LOWTHER

Nigh No Place

Streetlam

Sir, - May I ask for the continued support and vigilance of local inhabitants in our battle to combat the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in our beloved Wensleydale?

We are not yet free from the risk of this spreading to more individual towns and hamlets and if we want to avoid a terrible stench of burning animal flesh, days of thick, acrid smoke and coming and going of men in white suits and convoys of sinister sealed lorries passing through out community's centres signalling the ruin to many private individuals, then it is essential that we continue to take certain measures when going about our daily lives.

While the majority are heeding the advice from county, some people seem to believe this advice does not apply to them.

Worryingly, some dog walkers are allowing dogs off of their leads on land around Middleham, particularly on land which has common rights of grazing which remain closed to the public, even if the tarmacked roads are not.

Dogs are valued human companions and accompany us on car journeys to neighbouring towns and further afield. When off the lead they will go where they will, brushing against bushes, grass and other undergrowth, rushing to meet other dogs where they make physical contact.

This is not a victimisation of dog owners, just a plea to act responsibly and keep them on leads until the disease is under control and we are no longer in an infected area.

The disease is sometimes wind-borne, but the most efficient way to transfer the virus is by direct contact. Reliable sources tell us it can live for three days on clothing, or animals' coats.

Recently confirmed outbreaks in hitherto uninfected areas seem to be attributable to human or vehicular movements. Who of us can really say with any certainty that they have not unwittingly transported the virus and contributed to the tragedy unfolding in our countryside?

Regrettably, the sports area is also currently closed to members of the public in Middleham, as to access the area, one must traverse public footpaths which pass through agricultural land with sheep and cattle, or to access the area by the main route from Castle Hill one has to walk past an open barn and a yard full of ewes and gambolling lambs. This is hardly heeding the advice to keep away from livestock.

So, to the group of young people who were verbally abusive to a woman who asked them not go to the sports pavilion last week, I say shame on you! You know who you are ... in these difficult times, let's have more co-operation and less whingeing and confrontation, please.

(Mrs) ANITA J QUIRK

Clerk to Middleham Town Council

Direct action

Sir, - A great disservice was done to the farming community and local residents when they were hardly mentioned for playing a big role in stopping animal carcases being buried at the Thornton Fields tip recently.

I, like others, became involved the night before when I was contacted about the consignment and from then on we worked together to make sure this area would be saved from an extra threat of infection.

Biffa also played its part by returning calls and helping in every way, in fact it was MAFF and the intervention board that were most unco-operative, even arrogant at times.

We had to picket the site because we just did not believe we were being listened to. We were proved right when, after being told the lorry had been stopped, we went home only to hear within minutes that the lorry was actually on its way. At that time the council did not even have that information, so back we went.

Now we hear rumours that the animals slaughtered in Ruswarp are destined for Guisborough and there is still uncertainty about the original consignments.

Obviously there is growing concern among farmers and local people. We don't want to have to keep fighting, especially when dirty tactics are used. It has to be sorted out once and for all. It's wrong to leave people in limbo with this threat hanging over them.

Coun BARBARA HARPHAM

Westgate,

Guisborough.

Ask the TICs

Sir, - I am wondering whether the present problems afflicting attractions and businesses in the countryside caused by foot-and-mouth disease might be exacerbated by the fact that the public may be finding it difficult to get the necessary information.

I requested information from North Wales Tourism and received an eight-page "booklet" from which I found 5 pages of places open. I have been able to mark 68 that are within reasonable distance of our holiday cottage to send to our visitors.

These include all the "Great Little Trains," miles of beaches (that can be reached by road), slate and copper mines, lots of castles and museums - so many of these highly suitable for children. Swimming pools, golf courses and certain forest park areas are also there for enjoyment.

May I suggest that intending visitors go to their local tourist information office where there will be telephone numbers for all the other tourist offices.

MARY DE WARDT

Hunters Lodge,

Great Ayton.

The lucky ones

Sir, - If the public have been horrified at the treatment of our sheep, cattle and pigs as a result of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, this is nothing compared to what they suffer when they are exported live to other countries.

Many are found dead in transporters through lack of food, water and rest or trampled to death through overloading. Indeed the culled animals are the lucky ones.

VIVIENNE MILLER.

Town Green Drive,

Great Broughton,

Stokesley.