Sir, - In the light of BSE, and now the threat of foot-and-mouth disease, surely everyone can see that farming practices must change if we are to avoid lurching from one animal disease crisis to the next?
We believe that Ireland should move forward to less intensive farming methods where animals are reared in humane conditions and slaughtered locally. We argue that high animal welfare standards are essential for the production of healthy animals, which in turn are the basis of safe food production. And there should be an end to the long-distance transport of animals. Long journeys impose great stress on animals and, as we have seen from the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, they also form a conduit for disease to travel from one location to another.
Humane and healthy farming may add a little extra to the price consumers pay. But we must bear in mind that the cost of dealing with the aftermath of diseases such as BSE is enormous and is paid for out of taxpayers' money. - Yours, etc.,
Mary-Anne Bartlett, Director, Compassion in World Farming, Ireland, Hanover Street, Cork.