I am appalled at the mass slaughter of healthy farm animals because of the fear of foot and mouth disease. This is nothing less than a holocaust for these creatures, my heart goes out to them. What with mad cow disease, swine fever and foot and mouth, surely new forms of legislation are now required to stop this unhappy event happening again, especially regarding the long-distance transport of live animals and live exports.

No wonder compassionate people go to extremes.

D James,

Huntington Road,

York.

Updated: 13:59 Friday, April 20, 2001