Visitors also are barred from Beatrix Potter's farm and some stately old homes that sit on grazing lands. The only indication is little signs on the footpaths. In the past five weeks, the government has reversed nearly every one of its original decisions on how to fight the disease. The confusion has delayed the killing of infected animals and allowed the problem to get out of control, critics say. Meanwhile, British newspaper and TV have been full of apocalyptic scenes of lambs being led to slaughter and skies shrouded in smoke from giant pyres.
Misinformation also abounds.
One London tabloid ran a story that claimed anyone venturing into Kendal, a Lake District town, had to step into a bucket of disinfectant before entering a building. An accompanying photo did not show a bucket in sight. There's been some pretty cheap journalism. Nor does he feel any more charitable toward the Blair government. They've done a pretty awful job . . .