A CALL FOR UNITY

I was very interested in your Comment [Time to remove the ‘but’, March issue]. I am a mixed farmer with in excess of 2,000 acres; I farm arable land in Lincolnshire and also a grassland and livestock farm in Derbyshire. I am a firm supporter of all fieldsports and I let out the shooting on my farm in Lincolnshire. It is important to me that the shoot should deal with all conservation matters and maintain the correct codes of conduct at all times.

I am aware of the different organisations covering fieldsports – but surely it would be more straightforward if there was one united organisation that covered everything, with one point of contact and advisors available to point you in the right direction, whatever the query? It could have a compulsory (affordable) membership for everyone who farms, shoots, hunts, fishes, etc, etc, and would be a one-stop shop for all licences, permits, temporary permits and everything else you need seemingly to step outside your front door these days. It could offer employment help for those working in the countryside, legal advice and perhaps a forum for chats amongst like-minded folk that would, in turn, give a sense of community back into what we are trying to achieve and maintain for future generations.

This would also bring us one united voice to support actively all matters in the countryside, with the necessary expertise to fight to protect everything that is so important to its preservation and conservation. There are too many ‘suits’ making decisions, people who have never had to deal with the field full of savaged dead lambs or the herd of 100 wild deer happily eating all the crops –