29 APRIL 1978, Page 18

Ritual slaughter

Sir: In your editorial of 1 April you express misgivings over the method of slaughtering livestock exported to France. Such concern is praiseworthy, but you are guilty of hypocrisy in failing to mention and condemn the ritual slaughter practised here in Jewish slaughter-houses and those serving the large and rapidly growing Mohammedan community. Apart from the cruelty involved, the exemption permitting this breaches the principles of equality under the law. From the latter standpoint, the exemption granted to Sikhs from the wearing of crash-helmets is equally objectionable, but at least it causes no physical harm to other people or animals.

A. Archdale West Winch, King's Lynn, Norfolk