SIR - The recent slaughter by Defra of 567 pedigree Ayrshires and Holstein cattle, which had won many prizes and were worth more than £500,000, has to be one of the saddest story of late.

David Dobbin, the 43 year-old Cheshire farmer lost his entire livelihood when the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) instructed his prize-winning dairy herd to be slaughtered - even though all were fit and healthy - because there were discrepancies in his paperwork.

Defra confiscated all his animal passports (all cattle must have them now, under EU rules) and moved the animals from his farm, to another, then asked him to prove their identities - even though they were keeping the passports.

He was given two days to provide proof by DNA samples, which was totally impossible. Defra said "well, we can't look after them - slaughter them!".

Mr Dobbin, who has lost his entire world because of a rigidly applied EU rule, broke down in tears.

What kind of people work for Defra? Why was there no help or guidance or advice for this poor man?

You are doing a grand job, lads - keep up the brilliant work. I just hope you can sleep at nights.

Stanley D Parr, Pershore.