YOUR news item (Hereford Times, March 11) reported on the commendable sum of money (over £700) raised by pupils of Fairfield High School, Peterchurch, to help the WWF protect the threatened polar bear.

Earlier this month I went, on behalf of Herefordshire Federation Women's Institutes, to a conference sponsored by the WWF and co-chaired by the WI.

The object was to urge our MEPs to support a move to protect and improve Europe's environment and public health.

In particular we wish to know what they propose to do about reducing our exposures to man-made chemicals in everyday products such as toiletries, soft furnishings, TVs and computers.

These fail to break down and accumulate in humans and wildlife, leaving a legacy of contamination that will severely affect future generations.

Yet this need not be so.

A draft EU chemicals law is due to be amended and voted on by the new Parliament after the election. If law is then passed to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals, according to research it could save the EU a staggering £180 billion in health expenditure.

A recent European opinion poll showed that 93% of people questioned believed that chemicals negatively affect health. It is therefore essential that our new MEPs listen to ordinary people's concerns and do not bow to the sort of pressure the chemical giants are likely to exert. They are interested in quick profit, not long-term bad effects.

Our children, pets, livestock and wildlife are in real danger from the effects of man-made chemicals in everyday products and, on behalf of my organisation, I call on our MEP candidates to make a public commitment to support robust chemical regulation, phasing out the worst of these products in favour of safer alternatives.

EILEEN DILLEY,

Chairman, Hereford Federation Women's Institute