HAVING worked with five different packs of foxhounds over the last 20 years it infuriates me that the Labour Government are hell bent in taking my livelihood away from me.

Banning hunting has got nothing to do with fox welfare, as independent enquiries requested by the Government have proved, the alternative methods of controlling foxes being far less humane.

When hunting resumed after the foot and mouth outbreak our hounds accounted for an unusually high number of foxes that had been wounded by gunshot. Hounds have also caught foxes with badly set snares still attached to them, emaciated and only just alive, but these practices are still going to be acceptable.

What are country people who are passionate about hunting going to do should it be banned? They are law abiding citizens who wish to be left alone to enjoy themselves without being stamped upon by Government dictatorship.

If the Government told football supporters they can no longer go and watch their team play on a Saturday afternoon do you think Millwall fans will say "That's ok Tony, we understand"?

S ADAMS

Burbage