Hunting ban

sir – Hayley Dixon’s report (May 9) on how the hunting ban has caused a “catastrophic decline” in foxes shows that it must be revisited.

Politicians in the Commons have a duty of care to rural communities and must accept that this is a particularly controversial law that has failed to benefit the countryside, as we see in the 35 per cent decline in the fox population in the past decade. The ban has jeopardised the natural environment and devastated hundreds of livelihoods. Our representatives must act in the countryside’s best interests rather than pander to a vocal minority of urban liberals.

Caspar Bridge

Sherborne, Dorset

sir – Hunting with a pack of hounds is the most highly inefficient method of killing foxes. Maybe 100 horsemen and 16 couples of hounds will average one fox killed in a day.

It does, moreover, reduce the number of foxes killed by farmers. Foxes predating on lambs and chickens are only a minor element in the vulpine population. Like man-eating tigers, each such individual does much damage, while the rest of the population does none. Hunting puts hounds into coverts and drives the local foxes away. Thus, a farmer experiences relief after the hunt has visited him and he will tend to support the hunt by not shooting foxes.

Hunting is the kindest way to control foxes. Foxes stay concealed by day, so can be shot only at night, by lamping, which means shooting at the light reflected off the animals’ eyes. Most are either missed entirely or wounded, and slink away to die of starvation or gangrene. Trapping is even worse. Foxes are not quarry animals and are not terrified in the chase until near the end, which is always quick.

Like most ancient traditions, foxhunting is in harmony with nature and human needs. Banning it has done much damage and could do more. John Beveridge

Broughton, Lincolnshire