Letters - Saturday, October 17, 2020

I was horrified to watch a BBC report which exposed the export trade of live animals.

It explained what is really happening with the inhumane treatment of cattle on long journeys – from Ramsgate to Spain – for fattening.

When they are finally fattened, the cattle are loaded on to ships bound for horrific slaughter houses in Lebanon.

I cannot understand why animals have to be put through this torture.

I understand that bull calves are a product of the dairy industry and are destined for meat, but is there any need to export them to be fattened when surely it could be done in the UK?

We pride ourselves on our British standards for animal welfare yet I cannot believe that farmers can contemplate sending their animals to such a fate.

The standards end when the cattle are loaded on to wagons and ships, so isn’t it better to process them here?

Stricter regulations for transport and export cannot be monitored or enforced and the animals are completely at the mercy of bad practice. They are sentient beings and, as such, deserve our respect, so please stop this trade.

A copy of this letter has been sent to my local MP, Environment Secretary George Eustice, and Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers Union.

Anne Nightingale

via email

Virus

No respect for law enforcers

Re: From The Editor column about the shocking scenes in Liverpool (Your Say, October 15).

I think that those involved, who were mainly young, were acting in a thoroughly selfish way and should be condemned.

However, because THEY were all young doesn’t mean that ALL young people would act in this way. There are very many young people who are extremely concerned about protecting older people and act in an appropriate and responsible way.

It’s interesting that Liverpool City leaders have said they would welcome support from the army.

In many countries, right from the start of this pandemic, restrictions were imposed, along with the means to enforce them.

In the UK, people know that if they flout the restrictions, in the vast majority of cases, absolutely nothing will happen. Our Government always say that they are prepared to get tougher if needed, but never do.

A large part of the problem is that many people, of all ages, have little or no respect for law enforcers (evidenced by throwing objects at police cars, spitting and shouting foul-mouthed abuse, and then laughing about it). Perhaps Priti Patel would be better employed tackling this rather than trying to catch migrants in the Channel with nets. This Prime Minister and his cabinet are good at spouting rhetoric, but nothing actually happens.

As Keir Starmer said at PMQs, Boris Johnson is a ‘life-long opportunist’ and therefore not suitable to lead a government in any situation, let alone a crisis.

I fear the rot has well and truly set in, and its spread will only be halted by completely removing all affected parts and starting again. The future does not look good.

Ian Cookson

via email

Climate

OK... so who ended the last ice age?

Sir David Attenborough (pictured) has spent a lifetime blaming the human race, its inventions and way of life for bringing about global warming and climate change, resulting in natural species becoming endangered or even extinct. Many take an opposing view, “natural evolution” being the reason. For example, who created “global warming” to bring about an end to the ice age?

Peter Rickaby

address supplied

Virus

Beauticians but no doctors...

Can anyone explain why it is possible for me to go to the dentist, have an eye test and go to a beautician, but I am unable to see my GP face to face at a 2m social distance?

And why are banks and building societies still only open for four hours a day whilst Post Offices and shops now have normal opening hours? If most businesses can offer the public a decent service, I see no reason for others to lag behind.

Rosie Morton

via email