In her views on the problems in food production (Letters, November 27) Pat Thomas is right in her support for Caroline Lucas's comments on bovine tuberculosis (TB) and mass production methods. However, let's be a bit more specific here.

Livestock farmers have pointed the finger at badgers for spreading TB and at foxes and deer for possibly spreading foot and mouth disease. They would be happy to see a cull.

The United Nation's food and agriculture committee, in its report Livestock's Long Shadow has said that the production of meat is responsible for 18 per cent of global warming - more than all transport put together.

So we now have a choice. Do we see our wildlife destroyed so we can continue to have a meat-based diet or do we move towards a plant-based diet thus saving water, feed - approximately two-thirds of the world's grain is fed to livestock - our environment and our wildlife?

One thing's for certain. The world cannot continue to increase its consumption of meat without serious repercussions.

  • Sue Baumgardt, Stoneham Road, Hove