From Kathryn Ayre
Perhaps you would like to explain how exactly cattle farmers are to blame for
the BSE crisis, as you imply
(Editorial, 1 May, p 3).
It is possible that cattle farmers voted for a government that condoned the
inclusion of animal remains in cattle feed. Most farmers undoubtedly purchased
cattle food from animal food manufacturers assuming that, as it was designed as
cattle food, the product was safe to feed to cattle. Even if farmers were aware
that the food contained animal remains (and I am sure that most were
not—cattle food does not come with an ingredients list) then they were
assured by government officials and scientists that this was safe.
I fail to see how this should burden them with responsibility for the BSE
crisis.
kra@soton.ac.uk
