Madam, - Gerry Boland (Letters, December 21st) excoriates your readers for enjoying turkey and ham and suggests that we are hypocrites for eating meat while loving our pets. This is pernicious nonsense.
It can be argued that plants also feel pain. Canadian research shows that plants know the difference between normal contact from raindrops and the action of insect feet. German scientists attached microphones to vegetation and noted bubbling sounds under normal conditions but piercing screeches under insect attack. Scientists at Baylor University in Texas reported plants' responses to being pulled up, peeled, and cooked, showing that such actions cause a massive internal hormone and chemical barrage.
If Mr Boland and his fellow travellers in the animal liberation movement are serious, perhaps they will give up eating fruit and vegetables as well.- Is mise,
MICHEAL Ó BRAOIN, Caisleán Críon, Droichead Abhann Uí gCearnaigh, Co an Chláir.