LONDON -- Americans and Japanese have been shunning Britain because of the stories and images of burning animals in the foot-and-mouth-disease scare. One Japanese, I hope in jest, asked if we had enough to eat. We responded that we did not need food parcels just yet! Another group to whom I had promised to speak canceled their visit in late May, presumably because they thought Britain was under siege. I said that if this was the Japanese image of Britain today, it was totally false.
Life goes on much as it has done for years. Most of the major tourist attractions are open. London has a plethora of fine exhibitions. The theaters and concert halls are offering some outstanding performances at prices that must arouse the envy of Japanese used to exorbitant charges for concerts and operas. Our festivals compete well with prestigious venues such as Salzburg. British restaurants are a lot better than they were, and good food is available in all ranges. British shops are full of merchandise at competitive prices. Britain is open for business largely as usual.
What has gone wrong? Quite a lot. There is no evidence that foot-and-mouth disease can spread to humans. It is an unpleasant complaint for animals but need not be fatal. Slaughtering animals is not the only remedy. Vaccination is possible, even if not totally effective. These facts were glossed over by the Ministry of Agriculture, which represents the farming industry, and by the farmers.