THE roaring flames and acrid smoke from pyres loaded with cattle carcasses is one of the most abiding memories of 2001. The UK was in the grip of foot and mouth disease and more than 3 million cattle were culled and burnt to halt the spreading virus. But what many don’t realise is that without swift action, that epidemic could have been a disaster not only for farmers but also for the environment.
“It was an emergency response for local authorities,” says Vicky Auld, air pollution expert with Westlakes Scientific Consulting based near Whitehaven in Cumbria, who modelled and monitored emissions from the fires. “The authorities…
