"National publicity ensured that millions of people learned of the cruelty in killing kangaroos in the Australian outback and in farming ostriches here in the UK," says Juliet Gellatley, Director of Viva! "The pain and misery we uncovered is a disgrace to a civilised society. We provided reports on both trades to Mr Terry Leahy, Tesco's chief executive, and we are delighted he has had both the compassion and integrity to respond in this way and we congratulate him."

Somerfield and Asda do not stock exotic meats as they say there is no demand. Safeway, Co-op and Marks & Spencer refuse to stock them for animal welfare reasons. Waitrose are currently trialling ostrich meat in 26 stores. The only other major player is Sainsbury.

"The majority of Britain's big retailers now accept that the trade in exotic meats is cruel and unacceptable,"adds Ms Gelllatley. "We call upon Sainsbury and Waitrose to acknowledge the public's deep concern and revulsion at this profit from cruelty and also withdraw exotic meats. They are aimed solely at a few jaded and decadent palates. It is on these stores and the trendy little bistros that we will now be concentrating our efforts."

Ms Gellatley concludes: "Viva! is the fastest growing animal welfare group in Britain. We speak on behalf of many of the growing millions of vegetarians to whom animal abuse, in any form, is unacceptable. It is fitting that on the day when yet another report confirms the link between meat eating and cancer, Tescos should take this decision."