Sir, - As a casualty of the present foot-and-mouth outbreak, I have had the bitter experience of standing by the telephone to be told: "Your herd/flock will have to be culled". Words cannot describe it.

I feel therefore that I speak for many farmers in hoping that at the end of this sorry mess a few points may be properly addressed by MAFF, animal welfare organisations and farmers' leaders.

1, Some effective system with real teeth should be set up to eliminate swiftly and permanently those rogue operators (to call them farmers is an insult) who through ignorance, idleness, greed and blatant disregard of any welfare standards and regulations prove to be a hazard to their stock and their neighbours.

2, As the vast majority of farmers care deeply and are justly proud of their stock, they need not be saddled with a lot more ill-conceived legislation designed to satisfy political egos (The "look at us, aren't we getting things done" image) which inhibits a system of livestock rearing and subsequent movement from hill to lowland, developed over generations, which has been proved to benefit animals and farmers alike.

We can only hope that lessons have been learned from this disaster, and that governments of whatever colour will realise the interdependence of town and country in economic, environmental and social contexts.

SIMON BENTLEY

Lane Head Farm,

Kelton,

Middleton-in-Teesdale.

The killing fields

Sir, - People should not be misled by the recent apparent U-turn by the Government regarding the slaughter of healthy animals during the current foot-and-mouth fiasco.

I live in a small village where a case was confirmed and all the neighbouring healthy animals have been killed, this includes beasts killed as they stood in their sheds, sheep with their lambs killed in the fields next to a public road in plain view of passing adults and children. Even a neighbour's pet cow and a herd of pedigree sheep were not spared.

All Nick Brown has done is pass the buck to officials on the ground to make the final decision so distancing the government from public anger as a general election looms. Healthy animals are still dying and communities are being devastated.

CAROLE A ACKRILL.

Easedale,

Picton.

Thanks, walkers

Sir, - We thought it only right to put pen to paper on behalf of many farmers who like us are under extreme pressure due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak to say thank-you to all walkers, be it casual or long distance, for their support during this crisis.

Our land is on the northern edge of the North York moors and is crossed by many footpaths including the Lyke Wake walk, Coast to Coast, and Cleveland way. It is strange to look towards the main paths and see no one, but it is also greatly appreciated as your absence is helping to safegaurd our livelihoods.

Once again many thanks for all your support and we hope you will support us for a while longer

BRIAN & JULIE COOK

Beakhills Farm,

Chopgate.

Path stupidity

Sir, - On bank holiday Monday I visited Aysgarth Falls with my family and was astounded to find that the short tarmac path between the upper falls and the national park information centre and car park had been re-closed after having been opened for public access just a few weeks earlier.

Re-closure of this short, fenced, path through woodland over land owned by the national park meant that hundreds of visitors were forced to walk round two blind bends with double yellow lines risking life and limb. I was informed that the path had been re-closed because it had been discovered that it is the same path (it has the same footpath number!) that continues through farmland that's off-limits at present.

It is bureaucratic nonsense that could well have caused a visitor cull with many cars and motorbikes mixing with children, pushchairs, dogs etc.

I suggest that the idiot responsible for the crass decision to re-close this path should spend the next bank holiday in the stocks at Bainbridge as an added tourist attraction - accompanied by a large notice explaining why he/she is sitting there.

TONY PHILPOTT

Low Green House,

Thoralby,

Leyburn.

Count us in

Sir, - My wife and I have just returned to England after living abroad for 30 years.

Finding life incredibly expensive here, we both seized the chance of becoming Census enumerators to earn a little money whilst we learnt the area better and got a chance to meet the people of the dales.

Our objective has been very well met by the task. We both would like to thank all the kind and invariably helpful people that we have met.

Many homes are very difficult to find because they are unnamed, so we have had to rely on help from friends and neighbours. In every case these enquiries have been greeted with patience and helpfulness.

At any time this would have been wonderful, but under the foot-and-mouth circumstances you must have needed us like a hole in the head so we are especially grateful for all the kindness shown us.

We both thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to sharing better times together in the future.

D J HORSLEY

West Burton,

Leyburn