Foot and Mouth - over-reaction?

Am I the only one who wonders whether there has been a questionable over-reaction to the Foot and Mouth virus. In today's Times, Manchester University researcher, vet Abigail Wood claims that Foot-and-mouth is as serious to animals as a bad cold is to human beings. Meat from infected animals may be eaten, and m ost animals recover. Ms Wood has studied the history of the disease, and argues that the real reasons for the mass slaughter of animals are economical. Anybody who is concerned about the one-sided nature of debate round this issues should to read her article online. And join me this weekend walking in the Crags.