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A memorial was set up for the pigs who were sent to be slaughtered by a Leeds primary school.

Pupils at Farsley Farfield Primary helped to rear a group of pigs before they were slaughtered, so they could learn about the meat production process and the environmental and animal welfare issues associated with it.

This outraged animal rights activists and more than 6,900 people signed a petition calling for the animals to be spared.

Despite their efforts, the pigs were put to death last week and activist Marie Youngs responded by setting up a memorial outside the school gates.

It included a message underneath a photograph of a pig, which read: "We wanted to live just like you. Love is your greatest teacher and we loved you all."

There was also a large chalk message, next to some flowers, which read: "The nameless pigs slaughtered. 21-06-19. RIP."

Headteacher Peter Harris confirmed the pigs have been slaughtered and said the items and messages left outside the school gates have been removed.

He said: "The pigs did leave the school farm on Friday morning as was always the plan. They were slaughtered later that day and have been sold to the wholesale pork market.

"The pigs had twice as long a life as most commercial pigs and had a healthy free range life at school. The meat won't be available to our families due to the trouble that could cause with protesters.

"There is no shrine outside school. There were some things left outside the school gates on Sunday but they were removed within a couple of hours.

"The school community has been overwhelmingly supportive of our farm project and have felt intimidated by some protesters and the messages that they have left."

Education message 'has been somewhat lost in the furore'

He added: "It is a shame that some of the educational messages of this project - that the welfare provenance of meat is important and that the climate emergency means that meat consumption should be reduced - has been somewhat lost in the furore caused by a small minority from outside our school community.

"The governors have decided that we will now have a time for reflection and further consultation before deciding whether we will repeat the project next year."

poll loading Do you agree with this school project? 500+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, it's a great way for kids to learn about meat production No, the pigs don't deserve to die

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