SIR,

It is reported that the supermarkets Sainbury's and Waitrose are experiencing increased sales of goat's milk, in semi-skimmed and full cream, in addition to which there are increased sales of goat's milk cream cheese to restaurants.

The main reason appears to be due to the very high incidence of bovine TB in the dairy herd, particularly in this area of the county, where many large herds have been culled, while others have been 'closed', where movement of all bovine animals is restricted, except reactors which have to be sent for slaughter.

The occurrence of tuberculosis in goats is extremely rare, but there have been a small number of cases of bovine TB in goats where they have grazed land previously grazed by infected bovines.

There are two large herds of milking goats locally which are zero grazed, with no likelihood of them being cross-infected with bovine TB. The standard of hygiene in both herds of goats is exceptionally high, while the attention to potential foot problems is an important routine.

It is untrue that goats are 'smelly old things'. From choice, I have been drinking goat's milk for many years, and I am happy to continue to do so.

W Barnard

(Usk)