For the past 15 years the British meat industry has stumbled from crisis to crisis.

This ongoing shambles has cost taxpayers billions of pounds, killed many people, damaged our tourist industry and irreparably tarnished our image abroad.

The farming industry's response is to try and blame all its problems on ignorant townies, who don't know all the facts (Opinion, April 9).

This is a bit like Railtrack trying to blame all its problems on commuters.

The majority of the problems are self-imposed by poor working practices which create conditions that encourage and spread disease.

Instead of trying to pass the blame, the meat industry should stop protecting its own narrow vested interests and accept change is needed.

If it is unwilling, a wide-ranging public inquiry needs to be set up.

-Frank Price-Iles, Sunnydale Avenue, Brighton