Letter: Chickens unfit for consumption

Sir: Imported American chickens may pose a serious health risk (report, 3 April) but I fear that the situation may be little better with British chickens. Recent reports have shown that anything between 33 per cent and 50 per cent of British chickens are contaminated with either salmonella or campylobacter, the two main sources of food poisoning in this country.

Indeed, a recent Which survey found 32 out of 90 chickens and chicken portions bought from supermarkets to be "unfit for human consumption". Radical reforms - on farm and in abattoirs - are needed to reduce both the food safety and animal welfare threats posed by the poultry industry.

PETER STEVENSON

Political and Legal Director

Compassion in World Farming

Petersfield

Hampshire