A LETTER from DEFRA detailing new foot and mouth enforcement measures was put in the post to farmers in our area on August 17.

Why were these precautions not taken in January or February by all farmers immediately the Government and MAFF knew that foot and mouth was showing itself in this country?

When we were notified on radio that a case had been found in Cumbria in February we immediately put disinfecting into place.

So why only now have we been requested - sorry, instructed - by DEFRA to put these measure into force?

Had all livestock movements been stopped as soon as the disease had been confirmed and these instructions put in place, this catastrophic virus would never have taken hold.

Philippa Knowlson and John Bywater,

Springfield Farm,

Pilmoor,

Helperby,

York.

Updated: 10:07 Thursday, August 23, 2001