ALTHOUGH the outbreak of foot and mouth disease was confirmed on about February 22, it has taken until March 8 for farmers in this area, within half a mile of an outbreak, to receive any information about taking precautionary measures and being able to identify the symptoms in affected animals.

Worcestershire County Council did not make any order for the closure of public rights-of-way until March 1 and the posting of closure notices took several more days to implement.

I believe the present numbers of cases being announced by the Government are considerably understated when it is admitted that a number of outbreaks on different farms in a broad locality are grouped as one outbreak. Perhaps this gives the Prime Minister some comfort that his minister, Nick Brown, is containing the outbreak when the opposite would appear to be the case.

There appears to be far too long a time between killing of the animals and their incineration. Carcasses are left for days exposed to the activities of all creatures of prey with the chance of further spreading of the disease.

In a letter sent by Nick Brown to all farmers, we are told that Tony Blair is taking a very close interest in the situation. I can only hope that this interest extends to farmers and those people who face financial ruin without Government help.

MH Gill,

Bryans Green,

Cutnall Green, Droitwich.