THE letters from Saffron Box and Pauline Burgess (You Say, April17) are yet another fine example of the ignorance of farming and rural matters possessed by those who support the animal rights movement.

The constant barrage of misinformation and the continuing attempt to demonise farmers during the foot-and-mouth epidemic is, in the main, funded by foreign animal rights groups.

With millions of dollars to spend, these organisation would be better employed encouraging the agricultural industry in their own countries to adopt the very high standards of animal welfare that have been developed here.

Prime examples of this ignorance, are Pauline Burgess's calls for us all to "become vegetarians", thus saving dairy cows. As it is perfectly acceptable for vegetarians to consume dairy produce this demand is unlikely to affect the number of cattle on dairy farms.

That it is in fact vegans rather than vegetarians who feel that they have to deny themselves milk demonstrates clearly how little Ms Burgess knows.

Saffron Box claims that livestock markets are brutal - she is obviously unaware that markets are public places which are constantly monitored by Trading Standards and RSPCA inspectors who would soon prosecute anyone ill-treating the animals.

Guarantee

Ms Box and Ms Burgess would themselves be better employed encouraging the public to buy food produced under either the British Farm Standard mark or the RSPCA freedom food label.

Freedom food in particular sets out to guarantee the highest standards in the rearing, transport and slaughter of farm animals.

Those who seek to destroy stock farming in this country need to understand that the natural demand, by 95 per cent of the population, for meat would soon be fulfilled from abroad where considerations of animal welfare and hygiene can leave a lot to be desired.

JON BURGESS,

Malvern