SIR, It is with great sadness and horror that we have watched the foot-and-mouth tragedy unfold, particularly in Cumberland and Westmorland, an area we love and know so well.

It is not a coincidence how it has tracked right up the Eden Valley and has jumped from place to place in other counties.

This virus has to be carried by birds.

Anyone who is familiar with the country way of life will know that once a beast is down and there is a smell of blood, in come the crows, magpies, gulls and starlings.

The first place they go to is the mouth, eyes and rear end, have their feed and away to the nest to feed their young or the nearest water to wash it down.

Starlings, in particular, colonise cattle sheds.

Bird ringing has proved that movements can be far and wide.

The point I am getting at is, why, when the animals have been killed, can't they be covered to prevent bird scavenging? What is the point of disinfecting, closing footpaths, disrupting sports and other events, crippling rural businesses, when stock is exposed for days to the ravages of nature.

This situation is in need of urgent attention by the farmers' leaders.

On July 4, the Government's chief scientist stated that the disease could break out again in the autumn, and with the method of handling currently being practiced these horrendous prospects are a possibility.

We have experts in charge with loads of qualifications but very little common sense - until kill and disposal within 24 hours is achieved there seems little hope.

Louis and Maureen Venables

Orkney