Using swine flu as the official explanation, the Egyptian authorities ordered the cull of an estimated 160,000 pigs.

Even though the killing was described as “pointless and unnecessary” by the World Health Organisation for Animal Health and other groups, the killings went on.

Egypt is mostly a Muslim country and the eating of pigs is forbidden.

This means the animals are meant for mostly the tourist population and while killing in quicklime is alleged to have been stopped, the conditions in slaughterhouses are said to be disgraceful, with all animals being ritually slaughtered (throats cut while fully conscious).

Therefore anyone planning to visit Egypt should question their own conscience, for stopping the tourist trade will stop the cruelty.

If you do go, avoidance of meat will be a compromise and you are far less likely to suffer an upset stomach.

Mrs Emily Broadbent
Eastwoodbury Lane
Southend