Keep pigs, pork out of textbooks: OUP to writers

Oxford University Press (OUP) has asked its textbook writers to keep out all references to pigs, pork, sausages and other pork-related items to avoid offending Jews and Muslims.

The letter came to light after presenter Jim Naughtie of Radio 4's Today programme whose wife Eleanor Updale, a writer, is in talks with OUP for an educational book series said, "I've got a letter here that was sent out by OUP to an author doing something for young people. Pigs plus sausages, or anything else which could be perceived as pork has been prohibited in the text that was commissioned by OUP."

Refusing to comment beyond the official statement, OUP said, "OUP's commitment to its mission of academic and educational excellence is absolute. Our materials are sold in nearly 200 countries, and as such, and without compromising our commitment in any way, we encourage some authors of educational materials respectfully to consider cultural differences and sensitivities. Guidelines for our educational materials differ between geographies and do not cover our academic publishing."