I WRITE in support of Tibberton farmer Rob Chilman's stand against the Ministry of Agriculture.

It is now many days since the suspected outbreak on a neighbouring farm, which I am told - at the time of writing - has not even been confirmed as foot-and-mouth.

What would have been the point of slaughtering this healthy herd so near to the end of the 21-day quarantine period?

Even if the disease had developed at this late stage, there's only one other herd left within a 3km radius, so there would be no danger of it spreading out of control. Surely MAFF has a large-enough backlog of carcases to dispose of without needlessly adding to them?

I joined with the many Tibberton residents who have supported Mr and Mrs Chilman in their protest against culling.

What's the point in killing animals when there's no disease to spread, and no animals likely to catch it?

COUN M ROWLEY,

Tibberton,

near Droitwich.

The animals have now been reprieved - Editor.