So few British abattoirs escaped the EU's cull that the indigenes have forgotten how to spell the word.

I put the bad spelling down to the lack of a grammar school education. You won't catch an old Etonian making a mistake like that.

surely "...like thet"?

Perhaps there's going to be a new Abba tour?

Thank you, Dr. N. I always understood the need to say "Grace" for the meat we must eat. Indeed, I've been quite fond of one or two cows in my time, and even refused to eat a chicken I'd liked when it was alive! Now that you mention it, though, I do remember some discussion (late 50s/60s) on horse-meat production--and my being one who knew she could no more eat it than human meat. Now I wonder if that's why I never quite liked Crawley!

However, I didn't know we were a leading exporter, and I find that shameful. But then, I speak as one who's had no problem dealing with horses. I maintain that the only 'bad' ones are those who have been mistreated by humans; otherwise, I've found them to be brilliant, loyal, and brave - which is perhaps why they make it difficult for those who are going to kill them. As my father noted when I (a child) observed that the pigs he had sold were distressed: "Animals seem to know when they are to be slaughtered." [Perhaps they smell something on the slaughtermen?]