The recent outbreak of bird flu at a duck farm in Yorkshire has received a lot of media coverage. They are in the process of slaughtering all 6000 ducks at this establishment but the owners have 30 such factory farms dotted about the country.

What disgusted me was the sight of all these ducks imprisoned, never to see the light of day or bathe in water or swim. They are ducks for heavens sake – it is inconceivable that they can be kept in these conditions . A farm adjacent to this one keeps thousands of chickens in similar conditions.

I have seen news items, discussions, listened to the RSPB and not one person has mentioned animal welfare. Indeed some even showed sympathy with the farmers.

The ducks will have a more pleasant death than they would normally expect I guess, being gassed instead of kicked about and their throats cut. Despite all this, people will keep on eating the poor things with no thought how they got onto their plate and no thought of the harm they are doing to themselves.

Personally I would love to see all these intensive farmers go out of business – it would be a lovely Christmas present.

Philip Beaven Merton Avenue Swindon