DURING the months of February and March pig themed events are being held in Tavistock. Presumably these events are being held to provide fun and interest to the residents of Tavistock and also to any visitors. However, it is necessary to ask 'Are pigs having a good time?'

A major advertising campaign for British pork has been banned because of misleading claims of 'very high welfare' standards. Although British pigs are treated better than many of their counterparts in Europe — with no sow stalls and rare castration — there is still a long way to go before British pig farms can claim very high welfare standards.

We need to support our pig farmers who rear their animals outdoors in conditions more in keeping with the pigs' natural habitat, feed them organically or to the RSPCA Freedom Food standard. We should also help to make it a more 'level playing field' for our farmers and add pressure to the EU to make animal welfare standards high throughout the Union and soon.

To find out more about the lives of pigs and how you can help to make their short lives less miserable please contact Compassion in World Farming on 01483 521953 or email [email protected]">[email protected] to go to their website.

Cheap pork comes at the pigs' expense, so perhaps ordinary people who love their pork and bacon could find in their hearts compassion and pay a few more pence for their pleasure.

Mrs Edna Bacon

Chapel Meadow

Buckland Monachorum