HUNTING is barbaric. Pathetic last-minute gasps to amend impending legislation should be ignored.

In a year, there are probably as many foxhounds put down as foxes killed. A bloodhound's average life is approximately five years.

They're fed on raw meat - witness the day and nightly clamour in Broadway at feeding time, they do not make suitable pets.

As for the loss of jobs, that's nothing compared with 300,000 miners, thousands of steel and shipbuilding workers and several hundred fishing boats.

It has taken 200 years to come from bear-baiting and cockfighting to the present position. Let there be no hesitation. Go for it.

ROGER MARTIN,

Badsey, Evesham.