After National Vegetarian Week, last week, I thought your readers may be interested to know these facts.

Statistics for the number of land animals killed for their meat (figures obtained from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the meat hygiene service) showed increases for some species slaughtered.

A greater number of sheep, goats and farmed deer were slaughtered in 2008 compared with 2007. Figures for 2008 showed that over 16.5 million sheep, over 9,500 goats and over 6,000 deer were killed. Total number of cattle 2.6 million, pigs 9.5 million, chickens almost 800 million and turkeys 15 million stayed at similar levels.

The number of laying hens slaughtered when "spent" at around the age of one year had risen from 27.42 million killed in 2007 to over 28 million in 2008.

Surely it makes you think when you read about the millions of animals that are killed for food when it is so unnecessary. Next time you pick up a piece of meat to put in your shopping trolley ask yourself is their an alternative to supporting this barbaric trade?

Sue Daniels, Leicestershire Vegetarian/Vegan Group.