NAME any war or natural crisis around the world and there will always be someone profiteering from it.

Given the current foot and mouth disease crisis, it was only a matter of time before allegations of sharp practice here surfaced.

NFU members say that, in most cases, meat prices should not be increasing, but they are. Some disinfectant suppliers are also cashing in on the high demand for their product.

Morality doesn't figure for some people when it comes to turning extra profit. The awful plight of farmers, whose resigned faces continue to dominate our TV screens daily, obviously fails to touch the hearts of such callous folk.

As it happens, the human spirit is remarkably stoic and resourceful. Not only will our farming community survive this terrible time in some way, but the public will soon grow tired of rip-off merchants, and find alternatives.