I do not know the circumstances that led to the appalling incident in Llanidloes when a farmer took 23 sheep with suspected foot and mouth to the abattoir. However, will my right hon.
Friend is right to appeal for vigilance.
He is also right to say that many younger farmers will not have seen foot and mouth disease previously. I have written to every farmer in the country to explain the symptoms and to set out where advice can be found. I hope that is of some practical value. I asked him when he was first advised of a potential risk to animal health from imports from Africa. If there can be a red herring in an animal disease outbreak, that is it.