Each year, 87,000 horses leave Poland for slaughter in Italy, France and Belgium. They nearly always face overcrowding.

This, and the swaying of the lorry, often causes them to fall. Once down, they can be trampled, urinated and defecated on and wounded by their companions.

At staging points, fallen horses are either dragged off the truck or subjected to violent treatment to induce them to stand. By the time they reach Hungary, many are injured, dehydrated, collapsed or dead. Rest periods are more often than not ignored.

At the slaughterhouse the horses are driven or dragged from the lorry. Stunning methods are performed improperly, if at all, so animals may regain consciousness while their throats are being slit. Many are slaughtered in front of their companions.

Polish people do not eat horsemeat and are outraged with horse export traders. We have to act to stop this. For the sake of the horses, please contact Viva!, 12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD, and give your support, call 01273 77688 or email info@viva.org.uk

-Miss E Jarvis, Penlands Vale, Steyning