Readers' letters - June 8

A Brexit tax for seniors?
A pig kept in humane conditions, but some are not so lucky says a correspondent. See letterA pig kept in humane conditions, but some are not so lucky says a correspondent. See letter
A pig kept in humane conditions, but some are not so lucky says a correspondent. See letter

At last I’m a fully paid-up member of the pensioner’s club or the ‘Daily Mail generation’ as my son cheekily describes us.

As a new member, I have all the time in the world to do the things in life I was always too busy to do before – like leaning on the garden fence, washing the car, looking after the grandkids, generally grouching and contemplating the differences between the generations.

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The biggest generational difference seems to be on Europe where the majority of oldies want out and the majority of youngsters want in.

To get round this split, if my old gang wins, then we should take responsibility for our decision.

Most of us pensioners don’t have to worry about jobs, mortgages or earning a pension since we are already spending the proceeds.

So in order to take our fair share of the problems which economists say are likely to arise, I believe we should introduce a Brexit Tax on state and private pensions to cover any cost of leaving Europe.

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If the economy recovers quickly, then the tax could be reduced.

Certainly it would be a tad unfair to expect younger people starting out or families with mortgages to pick up the tab for our decision.

One side benefit is that Brexit Pension Tax collection would create a few jobs to help offset rising unemployment if we leave.

I tested the theory on my wife and she thinks it’s a great idea provided there is an exemption for those who voted to remain.

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My son and daughter are in favour too and think I should just cut out the middle man and pay the tax directly to them.

What do your readers think?

Tommy T Turner

Address supplied

animal welfare

Shocking conditions

The British public is constantly being told that our pig farms have high welfare standards. But a new investigation by Animal Equality has found award-winning British farms keeping pigs in squalid, barren conditions and locking mothers in tiny cages that prevent them nurturing their piglets – who often die right beside them.

At one farm, we filmed pigs living knee-deep in slurry. During two visits to this farm, our investigators also filmed multiple dead and dying piglets; pigs confined in barren, concrete pens; and routine tail docking of piglets with tiny amputated tails left littering the aisle.

At a second farm, our investigators filmed gestating sows locked in tiny individual stalls, a practice banned in the UK in 1999. On a visit to a third farm, our investigators found pigs in crowded, barren, filthy pens with floors caked in faeces and liquid feed.

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According to veterinary expert Andrew Knight, Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics at the University of Winchester, who reviewed the footage: “No reasonable person could fail to be appalled by the conditions endured by these highly intelligent, sensitive animals. Consumers would be shocked if they knew the truth about the conditions in which these pigs were raised.”

We have presented these findings to the government officials responsible for monitoring farms and asked them to ensure the meagre legal protection farmed animals have is enforced.

But consumers have the real power to end this suffering by leaving meat off their plate. Check out the great selection of delicious plant-based foods and recipes at www.veganuary.com. To read more about this investigation visit www.animalequality.net

Toni Shephard, PhD

Animal Equality executive director, UK

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