I THINK it may be useful to outline some of the main work RSPCA inspectors have been doing around the country since the foot and mouth outbreak.

The RSPCA was the first agency to begin making a real difference to animal welfare problems when it became clear that thousands of ewes were lambing in appalling conditions, because of movement restrictions. To date RSPCA staff have lambed 3,000 ewes.

One of the most depressing tasks our staff have had to perform was assisting with the euthanasia of about 1,300 ewes to prevent further suffering.

It was a task no-one relished but the RSPCA does not shy away from difficult animal welfare decisions.

Last week 80 RSPCA inspectors from across the country were taken off normal duties to concentrate on visiting farms to help farmers and to prioritise the most desperate animal welfare cases.

The charity is also running a brokerage system, where people with excess hay, straw, feed, and other supplies, can offer them to us, via the RSPCA's national helpline on 08705 555999, for matching with the animals in most need.

Alongside this hands-on help, we have raised our concerns with the Government about some of the slaughter methods employed and have sent inspectors to monitor the killing of sheep at the mass site in Cumbria.

Alan Wolinski,

RSPCA Regional Manager,

Wilberforce Way,

Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex.

Updated: 11:21 Friday, May 04, 2001