UNDERSTANDABLY, the foot and mouth outbreak has stirred strong emotions. Daily, we witness shocked, distraught farmers, anxious hoteliers, indignant ramblers and worried consumers.

However, conspicuous in its absence has been empathy directed towards the real victims of this sorry mess -- the animals themselves.

Surely, recent events will provoke compassionate people to consider vegetarianism. For hardened meat-eaters the option of organic produce exists which, although more expensive, affords the consumer the knowledge that animals have been spared the cruelties inherent in intensive farming methods.

Meanwhile, some comfort is provided in knowing that the thousands massacred in 'the killing fields' have been spared the pains of transportation and bloody fate at the slaughterhouse. Even so, passing the smouldering pyres one feels a terrible sense of shame.

IRENE FOGARTY, Beech Avenue, Chorley.