I AM happy to correct any misunderstanding Frank Holt (You Say, Thursday, October 14) may have about hunting.

Mr Holt asks why the fox is vermin. For years the fox has been regarded as a pest and is specified as such under the Agricultural Act (1948). This qualifies it as vermin.

Legally, the fox may be controlled by lawful means throughout the year by any person who has the landowner's permission.

Hunting with hounds is the one method of culling that has a recognised closed season. This prevents fox cubs being orphaned and left to starve.

As no study was made regarding the impact of increased shooting and snaring on the fox population there is no way this sorry time in the countryside could be used to judge the effectiveness of hunting.

Artificial earths are no secret and they certainly are not part of a mass breeding programme.

Most were established years ago to encourage the fox to live in areas where they would do least damage.

Mr Holt may dismiss my views on hunting but he should reflect on the wise words of the Labour Peer Lord Burns who chaired the Government's independent enquiry into hunting.

When asked in Parliament if hunting was cruel, Lord Burns replied ''the short answer is no''.

JON BURGESS,

Malvern,

Worcestershire.