MICHAEL Langtry and Viva are wrong (Letters, January 2). British farm animals are better cared for than anywhere else in the world.

There are more rules, regulations and inspections here.

Cruel practises such as sow stalls are illegal. In fact meat production here, especially pig meat, has fallen considerably but consumption has not.

To farm humanely costs more but no one will pay the extra so animal suffering is being exported.

My "free" pigs will soon be replaced by caged ones in other countries.

Fred Henley,

Green Farm,

Seaton Ross,

York.

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, January 04, 2003