Christmas is traditionally a time of peace and goodwill to all people but I would widen that to include all living, sentient beings.

Turkeys in particular suffer at Christmas as around 10 million birds are slaughtered each year for Christmas, the vast majority of which (90%) are factory farmed cruelly in windowless sheds with as many as 25,000 other birds.

The natural life of turkeys is around 10 years but they are normally slaughtered between 9 and 21 weeks old.

There are plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan alternatives to turkey but if you do have turkey, it is most compassionate to make sure it is organic/free range.

Mark Dawes, co-ordinator, Waltham Forest & Redbridge Green Party