ANITA Knittel is joined in her barrage against British farming and abattoir services by Amanda Birbeck (You Say, September 4).

They are among a tiny minority who do not see fit to eat meat. While disagreeing with their ideas, they have every right in a free society to eat what they choose.

I will be the first to defend that right but what cannot be defended for a moment is their fictional portrayal of how livestock is reared and slaughtered in this country.

If Ms Knittel and Ms Birbeck are in anyway interested in the improvement of animal welfare they would be encouraging the majority meat population to buy British reared meat, rather than cheap foreign imports produced in conditions, that are very often illegal in the UK.

As an RSPCA committee member I am surprised that Anita Knittel has not been promoting the RSPCA's own Freedom Food label which guarantees the highest standards of welfare from farm to supermarket.

This country is facing a deluge of propaganda from groups such as the USA-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

They are using their multi-million dollar bank balance in an attempt to ban fishing and even stop our children drinking milk.

The latest hype from PETA tells children they will all become fat and spotty if they touch milk. This claim has been denounced as irresponsible and ''likely to cause fear and distress'' by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The animal rights fraternity is against killing but they seem only too happy to slaughter the truth without a second thought.

JON BURGESS, Malvern.