GIVEN that Worcester City MP Michael Foster has such a high level of interest in rural matters, most notably his current attempts to ban all forms of hunting and having a Defra office in his constituency, I feel he is in an ideal position to offer some advice to our beleaguered farmers on the disposal of fallen livestock.

This is the latest crisis to hit the farming community and I wonder how many people are aware of the position.

From May 1 it is not legal to bury fallen stock on farmers' own land. Defra, the Ministry responsible, are still months away from even beginning to set up any sort of scheme to deal with the problem, the renders cannot handle the massive increase of fallen stock, much of which is totally uneconomical for them to process which leaves only hunt kennels.

At present, hunt staff provide a collection service at little or no cost to farmers - but Mr Foster's government are hell-bent on banning hunting so that option would be lost.

Hopefully, Mr Foster, with his wide knowledge of rural affairs, can offer some practical suggestions to farmers about what they should do with their dead animals on their land that could well cost more to dispose of than it would sell for alive at market.

Alum Michael, Minister of rural affairs, is recommending to farmers that they use hunt kennels to dispose of fallen stock - but Mr Foster is doing his utmost to impose a ban on hunting which seems to be to be a conflict of interest.

Come on Mr Foster. You cannot have it both ways.

AUDREY STEEL,

Worcester County Chairman,

Countryside Alliance.