LETTER:Humane lobster

From Mr F. M. M. Steiner

Sir: Leonard Black (letter, 24 May) is absolutely right; there is no justification for torturing a lobster (or any other animal) to death. He will be glad to hear, though, that not only I agree with him but also the fishmonger in our local market.

Boiling lobsters alive, he tells me, is not only unacceptable, it is also wholly unnecessary. Lobsters can be put to sleep painlessly by putting them into any large vessel full of water at room temperature, and can be boiled when unconscious. While not everybody may want to enjoy lobster, however delicious, it can at least be prepared humanely.

Yours faithfully,

F. M. M. STEINER

Deddington,

Oxfordshire