I AM writing in response to Mr McNulty's letter (BEN: March 30) concerning vegetarianism.

Can I first say that, as a Vegan, I must be an 'extreme vegetarian', and, at the same time, I'm certainly not malnourished, neither are any of the other 'veggies' I know. On the outside, they look like everyone else, but, on the inside, they will be much healthier. I agree that our meals contain a lot of additives -- but don't most ready-made meals these days?

Secondly, I think it is ridiculous of Mr McNulty to compare our diet to those of Quichua Indians, or Eskimos. Not only are they different nationalities, but totally different cultures.

In a civilised society, we can choose to eat what we like. But people like Eskimos eat to survive and choose whatever is available. They only kill what they need and at least their prey gets a quick death.

Animals in England and other Western countries suffer much worse treatment. If they are not being killed by BSE, Foot and Mouth or the Government, they are being cruelly treated in farms and abattoirs.

Take pigs, for example. The 'breeders', or sows, are there to churn out as many pigs as possible. They are either fertilised by boars or artificially inseminated. The farmers use large doses of hormones to ensure constant fertility. Once they are pregnant, they are tethered into a dry sow stall with no bedding. They can't even turn around.

When she has given birth, four months later, she has just three weeks with her babies before they are taken away, and she is inseminated again. The average sow survives five pregnancies and then she is slaughtered.

As for our diet being unhealthy well ...

approx 30 per cent of all pork sausages are contaminated with toxoplasmosis -- a parasite disease which can be passed on to humans.

salmonella is frequently traced back to pork.

recent surveys show that at least one in 20 pigs contain residues of sulphadimidine -- this is an antibacterial drug that is suspected of causing cancer.

So there you have it, Mr McNulty, and that is only one animal from your diet. Don't forget cows and BSE, or chickens causing salmonella and listeria.

I choose not to eat meat because I don't like how the animals are treated. Some people do it because of health reasons. But at least we have a better chance of avoiding cancer and heart disease-- and save a few lives too.

Nicola Powell

Lever Edge Lane

Bolton