IT'S about time farmers owned up to their own responsibilty for the foot and mouth crisis. They have blamed foreigners -- from bogus asylum seekers who supposedly smuggled ham sandwiches, to meat imports from Third World countries.

In their anti-foreigner tirades, our farmers fail to mention UK annual exports of 100,000 live pigs, many of which are used to breed animals whose flesh is then re-imported into Britain.

Farmers have also blamed ramblers for strolling irresponsibly about the countryside and yet they kept livestock markets open for days after the crisis had started.

They rushed animals onto the road to slaughterhouses while footpaths were and remain closed to the general public.

They have put the blame on wild animal species too -- from birds to wild boar. Oh, and the animals rights terrorists are suggested -- even though farmers need no outsiders to sabotage their industry.

They make a perfect job of it themselves.

When will farmers learn the lesson that everyone -- themselves included -- pays a price when animals are exploited and that the blame game is futile?

BSE and last year's swine fever outbreak should have been wake-up calls. But the industry continues rearing animals in harsh and squalid conditions in which fundamental health problems are inevitable and will spread like wildfire.

Kay Holder,

Animal Aid, Tonbridge, Kent.