A LETTER from a Government minister has told the people of Burnley that "never in a million years" will anyone in the town contact the human form of mad cow disease from the infected beasts buried in Rowley tip.

The assurance came from Mr Jeff Rooker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in a letter to Burnley MP Mr Peter Pike.

Thirty three BSE carcases were buried at Rowley in 1990 but Mr Rooker said the tip was not included as one of the most vulnerable because of the relatively low number of carcases buried there.

What tosh. One infected carcase is one too many.

Mr Rooker's views will do little to dispel the fears of people living in close proximity to Rowley.

There is still much research to be done on BSE and such sweeping statements from a Minister are unhelpful.

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