AS I'm sure you know, the loveable perky pig called Babe is back on our cinema screens this month. And I think this is great, because people will see what beautiful and intelligent creatures pigs really are.

When Babe was first released, pork sales dropped all over the country, as people finally connected the meat on their plate with a snuffling creature. I sincerely hope that this sequel has the same effect.

Unfortunately, pigs do not lead happy lives such as Babe's. The majority are kept in filthy, barren pens, unable to breathe fresh air or behave naturally. Piglets are snatched from their mothers when they are just two to three weeks old, and at five weeks they are killed for pork, bacon, ham and sausages.

As for the mother, just five days after losing her piglets she is forcibly made pregnant - again.

If Babe could really talk, I am sure he would have plenty to say about how his brothers and sisters are treated on the farm. In fact a book has been produced called 'Babe's Country Cookbook', which is full of tasty vegetarian recipes. And his message is 'go veggie and save my bacon'.

Pigs are beautiful, sensitive, wonderful animals, and so I urge everyone who goes to see Babe to seriously consider giving up meat.

Nicola Powell

Lever Edge Lane, Bolton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.