THE effects of foot and mouth disease are dreadful and its economic consequences spread far wider than the farming community. Despite this, there is a great deal of hypocrisy around and it is not helping find solutions.

Farmers claim to be upset at the killing of day-old lambs, yet these are the same farmers who happily send them long distances to market or even overseas to be slaughtered when they are just a few weeks older. Often they are the same farmers who still shoot day-old calves because they have no use and no value and who previously consigned them to the misery of continental veal crates.

All farmed animals are bred for slaughter and for no other reason, 900 million of them every year. The dreadful irony is a quick death on the farm because of foot and mouth is almost certainly preferable to days of transportation, the brutality of livestock markets and dealers and the terror of inhumane slaughter in abattoirs.

I think people have to ask themselves what it is that upsets them. The slaughter of lambs is intolerable but it won't stop when foot and mouth does.

Day-old bull calves will continue to be taken from their mothers and killed and pigs, sheep, cattle and poultry will all still face the terror of the slaughterhouse. There is nothing that can alter that - except you.

If the slaughter of innocent animals really does upset you, then change your diet and stop eating meat. The moment you do that you distance yourself from the carnage. Viva! will give you all the help and advice you need. It has dozens of cookery books and recipes and detailed information on health and nutrition.

These disease epidemics are getting more and more frequent and some, such as BSE and E-coli, kill humans also. Going veggie is not just a brave moral step, it may also save your life.

For a free pack, contact Viva! At 12, Queen Square, Brighton, BN1 3FD. Tel. 01273 777688 or www.viva.org.uk

Saffron Box, Laugherne Road, St Johns, Worcester.