There has been a lot of press regarding the ritual slaughtering of animals for food, ie their throats being cut without pre-stunning.

The chief veterinary officer for the Government wants this practice to be banned.

I would say that as a person who has not eaten meat for decades for ethical reasons, yes, ban the cruel ritual slaughter of animals by all means. But if you meat-eaters are kidding yourselves that pre-stunned animals are acceptable to consume because no cruelty is involved, watch an Animal Aid video filmed undercover in slaughter houses and think again.

If you really care about animal welfare, don’t eat meat.

Sylvia Harwood, Old Shoreham Road, Hove