I HAVE read with interest your front page article (February 18 of the North Wilts edition) regarding a proposed pig unit at Foxley, near Malmesbury, and note that strong objections have been raised on the basis, among other things, of smell and adverse animal welfare conditions.

Without wishing to comment on this specific case, I would make two simple observations.

Whereas in the past it would have been reasonable to argue against large intensive animal production units on welfare grounds, standards have improved immeasurably in recent years and this argument no longer holds water.

Smell, like music, is a matter of taste. I have a visceral hatred of what masquerades as “music” in shopping centres but since, I presume – though I cannot imagine why – that most people enjoy this sort of pabulum, I keep my counsel.

The countryside is a smelly place and will always be so.

Cows, pigs, chickens, horses and goats all smell in their peculiar way and their odour is part of the fabric of country living.

Those who find these smells abhorrent would do well to consider relocating to one of our fragrant cities where they can enjoy the persistent whiff of diesel fumes.

PROF RICHARD MOORECOLYER Malmesbury