A BAN on imported food from countries with foot and mouth disease and proper inspection of imports could have prevented the foot and mouth epidemic. The cost of this would have been a fraction of the billions now being spent on elimination.

All shops, restaurants etc must make sure their food comes only from countries clear of foot and mouth disease. Kathleen M. Robinson says Tesco is good for British meat (March 22) but according to a message on the National Pig Association web site they have organic Argentinian beef in their stores. Argentina has foot and mouth so please Tesco stop stocking it.

Fred Henley,

Green Farm,

Seaton Ross,

York.

...I WONDER what part (if any) the domestic cat has played in the spread of the foot and mouth disease? On every farm that I have ever visited I have found two or three cats roaming freely among all the farm animals.

Cat numbers have greatly increased over the past ten years.

There are no restrictions on their movements and now that they are allowed to travel abroad, any disease they may carry is easily spread.

John Watson,

Fulford Road,

York.

Updated: 10:33 Monday, March 26, 2001