IF you believed Jamie Oliver, you would think Britain good and Europe bad when it comes to pig farming.

But despite his recent programme on Channel 4, British pig farming should be regarded with anything but pride, Farmer bids to save industry's bacon, Echo, January 24.

While it is true that some conditions remain in Europe that are banned in Britain — through the work of groups such as ours — it would be very wrong to think that British pigs live the life of Riley.

The sad reality is that almost all pig farming in Britain is indoor intensive production, with less than five per cent of British pigs spending all of their lives outdoors.

Pigs bred for meat are usually kept in cramped, often filthy conditions with nothing to alleviate their frustration and boredom.

Many British piglets have their tails painfully cut off and teeth clipped, despite routine mutilations such as these being banned.

Piglets don't fight in the wild, but factory farm conditions can lead to aggression.

Also, 70 per cent of British sows are forced to give birth in metal farrowing crates so small that they are unable to turn around for the five weeks they are incarcerated.

If you buy British bacon, sausages or pork in a supermarket, it is likely to come from squalid conditions like these.

Moving pig farming abroad isn't the answer, obviously. However, Jamie Oliver fails to mention the best way to support the British pig is simply not to eat him.

The best way to end animal suffering is to go vegetarian.

Justin Kerswell

Campaigns manager

Viva! Bristol

(by email)