I WRITE in response to comments made in the articles regarding the Moors outbreak of foot and mouth and the disinfectant mats, which appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Press on June 12, and the same report in the Gazette & Herald on June 14, on the front page.

These were made by the councillor for Bransdale, Farndale and Rosedale, which also included a further comment by John Greenway, Ryedale MP, in the Gazette & Herald.

This letter is being written while I am still 'hot under the collar' after reading the above, and would like to point out that the disinfectant mats they refer to are maintained by local volunteers in their own time, most being farmers, who desperately want to keep foot and mouth at bay, and who are under extreme pressure at this time, wondering what each day is going to bring and where the next foot and mouth outbreak will be.

Since the mat was placed on the road, near our farm entrance, I personally have maintained it at least three times every day, and during the hot dry weather we had three weeks ago, treating the mat five or six times a day.

It is disappointing to say the least to read negative comments by elected politicians who it seems are going by hearsay and have probably not visited all the areas where the mats are.

Not being political in any way, it stands out a mile that now the parliamentary election is over and all the politicians are comfortably back in the seats, it seems sad that they feel justified in making these overall comments. I am sure that mats will do some good - it is unrealistic to suggest that the Highways solely maintain them - it seems to me that this would be impossible!

I am sure that a lot of these mats are disinfected satisfactorily by the volunteers and any problem ones should be pointed out individually to the authorities - not condemning en bloc people who are trying to do their best.

As I have managed to put pen to paper, I would like to place on record appreciation of the fact that public concern and generosity in supporting the farming community in many different ways during this present crisis, including donations to various funds, has been tremendous. Being a livestock farmer, I would also like to thank all the walkers, horse riders, etc, who have stayed away from the public footpath that runs through our farm.

DAVID WINDRESS

Gillamoor

Updated: 09:52 Thursday, June 21, 2001