IF you believe celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, you would think that Britain is "good" and Europe "bad" when it comes to pig farming. But British pig farming should be regarded with anything but pride.

Whilst it is true that some conditions remain in Europe that are banned in Britain, it would be very wrong to think that British pigs live the life of Riley.

The sad reality is that almost all pig farming in Britain is indoor intensive production – with fewer than 5% of British pigs spending all of their lives outdoors.

Pigs bred for meat are usually kept in cramped, often filthy conditions.

Many British piglets have their tails painfully cut off and teeth clipped, despite routine mutilations such as these being banned.

Piglets don't fight in the wild, but factory farmed conditions can lead to aggression.

If you buy British bacon, sausages or pork in a supermarket it is likely to come from squalid conditions like these.

The best way to support the British pig is to simply not eat him – and the best way to end animal suffering is to go vegetarian.

Justin Kerswell,

Viva! Campaigns Manager,

York Court,

Bristol.