ONCE again, it's the beginning of Chinese New Year - a time for a universal message of peace and happiness for family members and friends.

It's unfortunate that this goodwill is not extended to the 20 million ducks that are killed for meat in the UK every single year, many of which will be served up in restaurants as part of the celebrations.

Farmed ducks are mostly close relatives of Mallards, the brown ducks and handsome, green-headed drakes you see on every pond.

Like them, they have evolved to eat, swim, dive, clean and play in water. Water is the basis of their life.

In today's stinking factory farms, where 10,000 birds are often crammed into one shed, they never even see water, except in their drinkers.

Also, like their wild cousins, they would love to fly at 50 mph, to choose a mate and to live for 15 years or more.

Fly? Some can hardly walk because of leg deformities. There's no mating and life ends brutally after seven weeks.

Many will be fully conscious when their throats are cut.

They end up not just in restaurants, but are sold nationwide in supermarkets whole and as part of ready-made meals.

On the Chinese New Year's Day, it is traditional to abstain from meat as it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives.

If we can take this wise lesson and stretch it out over a year, then not only can we all improve our health we can lesson the cruelty to ducks - and all other animals farmed for meat.

For a free pack on stopping cruelty and going vegetarian contact: Viva!, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH. Tel: 0117 944 1000.

JUSTIN KERSWELL,

Campaigner, Viva!