THE report on chicken controls (November 26) was very timely because farmers are campaigning to have clear country-of-origin labels on all food.

"Ready meals", "British classic" and "great British recipes" are sold by supermarkets yet very few contain British meat.

In small print on the back others state country of origin. For example the chicken in chicken and vegetable rosti bake comes from Thailand. Worst of all are those which just say chicken, pork, beef etc allowing the maker to use whatever is cheap and of dubious quality.

Until food is clearly labelled and its production is properly controlled by Trading Standards and the Food Standards Agency there will always be low quality, unsafe food in our shops and restaurants.

FR Henley,

Green Farm,

Southfield Lane,

Seaton Ross, York.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, December 12, 2003