Sir, - Currently there is much distress about the threat to human health, and income, from the BSE crisis, growing concerns about the dangers to humans from antibiotic residues in pig meat, fears of the consequences of genetic engineering, to say nothing of pesticides, growth hormones and the new killer virus for rabbits.
These are man made disasters, which have their roots in an official mindset which views our fellow creatures as "goods" and "products". They are part of the ongoing abuse of animals caused by intensive rearing, confinement in stalls and battery cages, deprivation of natural behaviour patterns, mutilations, transportation in overcrowded conditions and feeding of dead animals to herbivores.
The non human inhabitants of this planet are not products; they are sentient beings who feel pain and fear. The human consumers would do well to reflect on their indifferent attitude to animal suffering and on their ability to effect changes in animal welfare, and ultimately in human health, through judicious purchasing. - Yours, etc.,
Dale View Park,
Ballybrack,
Co Dublin.