It's no surprise vegetarian shops and restaurants are doing a roaring trade in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Consumer confidence has been irredeemably dented.

But butchers and farmers are being made to suffer by a change in consumption patterns fuelled by unfounded fears in this latest case. Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a risk to public health.

However, no matter how clear and strong the message is made people are worried.

They also feel in the past that Government health warnings have been inadequate so they want to look out for themselves.

The public has gone a long way to winning the war on GM foods, helping safety trials to be carried out and forcing supermarkets to label products appropriately, and they must make their voices clear to the Government now.

There will always be a demand for meat but it may be less intense than in the past.