AS Christmas approaches, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Age UK and other aid agencies are once again tapping into public disquiet over the existence of plenty in the midst of hunger, and asking you to make a Christmas gift of a farmed animal to an impoverished person in Africa, or in another of the world’s poorest regions.

This is despite mounting evidence demonstrating that animal farming is environmentally destructive, an inefficient user of agricultural land, water and energy, and generates disproportionately high volumes of global warming gases.

Because meat and milk production consume such high levels of precious resources, only communities with surplus wealth can afford them. A ‘gift’ of animals to destitute communities, who are without such resources, will simply impoverish them further. It is far more rational to support such people in growing food that they can eat directly.

There is also the very real issue of animal suffering. Vast numbers of cattle and other animals are currently starving to death in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa and other parts of that continent. Replacing them with more animals will just create more human as well as animal victims.

Please support agencies that help people, animals and the environment. For details contact Animal Aid at animalaid.org.uk or telephone 01732 364546.

ANDREW TYLER, director, Animal Aid.