Irish Indipendent 7/11/2000: Adopt a sheep, love it ... then eat it

HARD-PRESSED sheep farmers in Italy have hit on a unique way to reverse their plummeting fortunes - offering sheep for adoption.

For just over £116 a year, customers can "adopt" a sheep and in return receive everything the animal produces.

In due course, they can also eat their adopted pet.

The plan is the brainchild of Manuela Cozza, who runs an organic farm with a flock of 1,300 sheep near Rome. The only flaw is the danger that the sheep's human "parents" will become so attached to the animal after giving it a name and seeing its photograph that they will not want to serve it for Sunday lunch.

(* The Times, London)

NOTIZIA: