SPORTING events have been cancelled, footpaths closed and all manner of inconvenience caused to many people all because of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Why must almost everyone suffer because of the livestock farmers' misfortune?

Who asked them to farm livestock?

Especially, why should vegetarians suffer from this disease that they had not the slightest influence in bringing about?

And why should compensation be paid to the farmers affected?

Have they never heard of insurance?

Money from vegetarians' taxes will be paid to this vile industry in the attempt to keep it going.

Meat -- is it worth it?

N G Charnley, Chesterfield Road Blackpool.