No less a person than Germaine Greer, that patron saint of the radical and feminine, stated in a recent programme on Channel 4, her view that compared to the concentration-camp conditions in which many animals for human consumption are reared and transported, the number of foxes killed by hunts and even their claimed suffering is insignificant.

If that is was she said and the words used - then it shows that not having any does mean that you can't talk 'B*****s'.

Such comparisons do not help prevent all suffering - they make the person saying them appear to be compasionate and informed but just result in excusing or making some suffering appear to be acceptable.

No unecessary (i.e' preventable) suffering is ever acceptable and never 'insignificant' - especially to those suffering.