ANDREW Tyler of Animal Aid used his recent letter to attack shooting with wild allegations and misinterpretation of the facts.

Mr Tyler has no proof of unwanted pheasants being buried. With a growing demand for their healthy, low fat meat at home and a good export market, no one is going to dump such a valuable product.

Mr Tyler claims that shooting has no benefit to conservation. Well, this is different to the findings of all the research undertaken by reputable conservation bodies. Only last week, a senior Government spokesman made clear that shooting estates were some of the most bio-diverse in the country. He also stated that "not one second of Parliamentary time would be wasted on an anti-shooting agenda". I am sure Andrew Tyler will disagree but this is the most clear and straightforward political statement we have ever heard in a long time!

JON BURGESS,

Malvern.