Whether it's opposing bullfighting in Beziers, the French twin town of Stockport, putting forward a resolution to use free range eggs instead of battery hen eggs in council buildings, or banning that most gruesome of products foie gras, I am proud that in the council chamber Stockport Conservative councillors have led the way on these issues in opposing such cruelty. I am also pleased that we have received all-party support in the process.

I am not vegetarian, but I insist on and expect animal husbandry, and slaughter to be humane.

Ben Jeffreys, our parliamentary candidate, Lisa Walker, constituency chairman, husband Ken and I watched a television documentary together the other night which included the preparation of a fish for the table in the Far East. To keep it alive, its guts were left intact as its flesh was carefully sliced off. The curled skeleton was still alive on the platter as the slices of its flesh were dipped in the accompanying sauces. We were horrified.

Unfortunately, despite the ban, foxhunting continues in this country. Like most decent people, I was horrified too, to read in the Stockport Express of the Swan shot and killed in Reddish. Sadly, in the twenty-first century there are still so many examples of cruelty beyond belief in the world: whaling, skinning alive of animals for the fur trade or the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras. With freezing and other food-preservation techniques, the products of this appalling cruelty could be transported anywhere on Earth, including here.

To help bring an end to such inexcusable cruelty and torture, please, make a point when shopping, to ask about the source of your purchase.

Cllr Linda Holt
Bramhall North

This article, by Cllr Linda Holt, was first published by the Stockport Express on 17.02.10.