I am a hobby farmer and, agreed, there are some, like any other areas in life that do not learn or cause problems. That said, the same can be said for any walk of life including NFU members. The foot and mouth crisis in 2001 was started by a farmer cutting costs and not practising good husbandry with his stock. Some of my friends who have farmed for may years only have 300 sheep and have left the NFU as it does not represent them anymore, it is only interested in big business and does not represent our needs. My friend's son is 21 and cannot afford a farm of his own due to spiralling rural housing costs, and he has decided to "hobby farm" along with a full time job as it is the only way he and his partner can stay in famring in some way, I would not like to tell them they are putting farming at risk!

We are talking with the Smallholders Association in Holland to see if we can set up one over here, as at the moment we are an easy target for larger organisations.

RTN, Lincoln, UK

Perhaps the NFU should put as much effort into addressing WHY there are so many hobby farms around. In a time where the consumer puts as much concern onto the welfare of the beast that ends up on the plate as it does to quality little choice is left other than hobby farming to ensure access to a high quality product.

Angela, Fair Isle, Shetland

Are the NFU's members truly concerned about disease spread or more about the growing consumer demand for locally produced high welfare animal products that they produce?

Smaller farmers are much more likely to notice a sick animal and bother to call the vet or pay for medicines. To say they are untrained is an ill informed insult. Small "hobby farmers" often have second incomes, which mean they can pay for training, veterinary examinations and equipment. They also have the freedom to offer more thorough care by not being stretched in caring for 500+ sheep to 1 person.

The NFU could instead have offered training and support to ensure these farmers meet their standards, rather than suggest additional legislation, something farmers aren't usually keen on.

Incidentally, one does not need to have any training to acquire a large farm and fill it with livestock. Nor is every commercial farmer trained or even practising as they were taught. The NFU knows this perfectly well.

DS, Middlesex,