Sharp reductions in household meat purchases in March were due in part to consumers eating from the freezer, after buying heavily in response to warnings of shortages due to FMD. However, MLC research confirms traders' belief that demand has also been weakened by food safety worries and the media images of smouldering carcases, over a quarter of surveyed consumers suspecting FMD could affect human health and about 10% indicating they will cut purchases of red meat. {{M/E MEAT }}