The poor and unhealthy conditions some animals are in threaten the global population. International air travel makes it possible for a pandemic to occur in days with devastating consequences. Current measures in place are not nearly enough, with too much dithering over what to do, and cynical economic conflicts of interests preventing radical measures. Complacent attitudes towards animal welfare will some day breathe a virus that nobody can stop. We've just been lucky so far, notwithstanding the progress of swine flu killing hundreds.

Maurice Fitzgerald,

Shanbally,

Co Cork