I WOULD suggest to the powers that be that they would be better looking upstairs than downstairs for the spread of the dreaded foot and mouth disease.

There isn't a county in the British Isles where you can travel without seeing a crow or magpie perched on a sheep or cow or bullock's back. Both birds peck at animals' backs for whatever they can find, i.e parasites, and can pierce animals' skin. If the bird causing the damage is a carrier of the virus, there's your answer.

Ken Holmes,

South Duffield Road,

Cliffe Common,

Selby.