Since the beginning of March an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (also known as Hoof and Mouth Disease) has affected areas of Britain. Previous to this "outbreak" there had been concerns throughout most of Western Europe about Mad Cow Disease. I would like to look at these two issues to help answer concerns and provide accurate information, so that potential visitors may be better informed. In my opinion, sensationalism in the media has over-rated these two legitimate concerns.

1. Foot and Mouth Disease poses little or no health risk to humans. The disease is highly virulent and impacts on the economic viability of livestock production. The widespread culling of cows, pigs and sheep is being done to try and prevent spread to unaffected farms. "Foot and Mouth" disease will either be everywhere by the summer (so you are unlikely to spread it further ) or under control.

2. Mad Cow Disease poses a risk to humans from the consumption of contaminated meat, the problem lies in quantifying the risk. It is still not completely understood in the scientific community. Visitors are at very low risk because measures have been in place to prevent contaminated meat entering the food chain for a number of years. I live in a city but have not heard of a single person who has contracted CJD, (the human form of the disease) even at second or third hand, but cases have been reported in the national and regional media

3. In rural areas of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales most footpaths, some roads and some tourist attractions have been closed in an attempt to limit the spread of "Foot and Mouth". Towns and cities are almost completely unaffected and their tourist attractions are open. If you are planning to travel in rural areas of Britain you are advised to keep to the main roads (not because you are at risk but to avoid spreading "foot and mouth"), expect your vehicle to be disinfected at intervals.

I travelled into the country a few days ago on business, (for the first time in a month) and saw first hand the smoke rising from a number of cattle pyres. The situation for farmers is bad but the effect on the many jobs dependent on tourism is potentially worse, if visitors (like you) take fright and stay away.

Take as much advice as you feel you need to avoid spreading "foot and mouth" to unaffected areas and countries. In my opinion, if you are planing to visit Britain this summer, you are at greater risk of being involved in a traffic accident. A British respondent (tongue in cheek, I think) asked recently about the "risks" of travel to the US because of recent sensational reports in our media that President Bush is the cause of "environmental pollution" in the US !