I AM writing to ask readers not to fall for the nonsense being peddled in some quarters that eating kangaroo meat will help end global warming.

While it is true they produce fewer greenhouse gasses than cattle, the population in Australia is in crisis and an increase in the market in the UK for this so-called 'exotic meat' could spell disaster for these gentle animals.

Plus, any trade that encourages meat to be flown from the other side of the world can in no way ever be described as green. The annual kangaroo slaughter in Australia is already the largest massacre of land mammals on the planet today.

Each year, millions of kangaroos are shot for their meat and skins. Official Australian government figures show there are now 33 million fewer kangaroos in the areas used for commercial hunting than just seven years ago.

Viva! has long campaigned against the sale of kangaroo meat. The revulsion at massacring the world's wildlife for food has led to all of the UK's major retailers dropping kangaroo meat because of our campaign.

Australians – and the rest of us – would be much better off throwing a veggie burger on the barbie if we want to cut our carbon footprint. Surely it's greener to cherish our global wildlife by not blasting it towards extinction.

JUSTIN KERSWELL

Plymouth