Exploitation of animals

Once again, the search is on for the bad guys and the smoking-gun evidence in regard to the new outbreak of foot and mouth (your report, 4 July). Whether a research lab, a drug company or DEFRA end up being nailed, this latest farmed animal disease outbreak should surprise no-one.

It amounts to "business as usual". Avian flu is hardly a distant memory and simmering on the back burner is bovine TB. Other recent and current disease panics include salmonella, campylobacter, swine fever, pig wasting disease and BSE. The lesson we must learn, and quickly, is that if animals are treated like objects to be exploited for meat, milk and eggs, they will suffer high levels of disease.

Modern animal farming methods are an abomination. They are cruel, unhealthy, environmentally destructive and an insult to any human society that claims to be civilised.

KATE FOWLER-REEVES, Head of campaigns, Animal Aid Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent