Local animal welfare campaigners felt betrayed when Tony Blair, who had promised so much action on animal welfare matters and a commitment to investigate the use of animals in scientific research, recently made a speech condemning animal rights activists who, he claimed, were delaying important medical progress.

This disgraceful about-turn has been highlighted by the actions of the German government, which has amended its constitution to recognise the rights of animals. This move will affect the use of animals for testing cosmetics and non-prescription drugs, blood sports and the ritual slaughter of animals and, one hopes, lead to a ban on the farming of battery hens and the transport of live animals across Europe.

This single amendment, adopted with determination and courage by the German government, covers every aspect of animal rights and avoids the protracted and often ineffectual way in which our government picks away at laws governing animal cruelty and exploitation.

Why could our government not have thought of that?

-Peter Allen, Chute Avenue, Worthing