THE government has chosen to ban beer on the bone even though the chances of a person eating a T-bone steak from a BSE-infected animal are infinitesimal.

Though Agriculture Minister Jack Cunningham may enjoy the festive period but thanks to his decision, our farmers certainly won't.

At the time of the of the year when they should be recouping some of their losses, they are faced with yet more bad news and many will face bankruptcy in the coming year.

A responsible minister would have informed people of the minute risk of them catching BSE and left them to make up their own minds. And I believe that most would have carried on eating beef, thereby assisting our hard-pressed farmers.

However, allowing people to decide for themselves is contrary to this government's inclinations which are to interfere in people's lives and tell them what to do - in other words, trying to set up a Nanny state.

And for that New Labour ideal, our farmers must pay the price.

Coun D PEARSON, Rawstorne Street, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.