I recently became aware of a shocking example of the cruelty of factory farming, the pig farrowing crate.

This is a metal cage in which sows are confined for a week before giving birth and remain imprisoned until their piglets are three weeks old.

The crate is so small that the sows can't even turn around and fits them so closely that it rubs against their skin.

After the piglets are born, their mothers are unable either to reach them if they chose or escape their attentions if they need to.

For more than 30 days the sows remain in this cage, able to do nothing but stand up, lie down and eat - most face a blank wall.

Naturally, mother pigs are restless and active, making nests of twigs for their young. The farrowing crate imprisons them for the crime of being mothers. A month after the piglets are born, they are abruptly removed - months before weaning would take place naturally.

Their mother is normally re-impregnated just days later.

Sadly, this treatment is typical of factory farming which puts profit ahead of animal welfare every time. I urge people to stop eating the meat produced in this barbaric way.

For information on factory farming and vegetarianism contact Viva! 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol B52 8QH on 0117 944 1000 or visit www.viva.org.uk

-Meg Winterbotham, Brighton