Sir, - Once again hunting is under consideration by the Labour government. In the not too distant future the public will probably be urged by anti-hunt groups to support a ban. There are certain implications of which the public should be aware.

All hunting bills have exempted "gun-packs": this form of hunting involves hounds being put into a wood where they flush foxes from cover in order that they may be shot. This practise will most likely continue after a ban.

For many years I campaigned (with the League Against Cruel Sports and the Hunt Saboteur Association) for a ban on hunting yet my research has led me to conclude that a ban on sport hunting would be detrimental to animal welfare.

Such a ban would destroy the paradoxical relationship between hunts and the fox. This relationship, provides the fox with a degree of protection through higher farmer tolerance and arises out of the dual function of the hunt in removing a pest and providing sport.

A sport hunting ban will alter the status of the fox and leave farmers with little reason to tolerate foxes on their land. As a result there will be an increase in shooting.

Flushing to guns, whilst sounding clean and clinical, runs the risk of foxes being wounded before either escaping or being killed by hunting dogs: a factor not present during traditional sport hunting days.

Also "gun-packs" can hunt and kill a far higher number of foxes than traditional hunts: in terms of numbers of animals hunted and killed greater suffering is caused. In addition, sport hunting's season finishes as foxcubs are being born.

Since fox predation is concentrated at this time of year a ban on 'sport' hunting, with lower farmer tolerance, will increase the likelihood of culling centred on breeding earths: a practise which carries with it an increased welfare cost since orphaned cubs will need to be located and killed.

This gives rise to serious animal welfare implications.

I urge your readers to think carefully about the likely animal welfare implications of a ban on sport hunting. For those who genuinely seek improvements all is not lost however. Indeed, by placing all hunting under the strict control of a statutory licensing system, and by amending existing legislation, it will be possible to generally improve wild mammal welfare as opposed to allowing the current situation to degenerate into chaos.

MILES J COOPER

Independent animal welfare consultant

Forest Row,

Ipsden,

Oxfordshire.

How hard was life?

Sir, - I am researching a book I intend to write about the living conditions in the workhouse and orphanages around the country in the early 1900s.

Was life hard? Was it sad? Was there cruelty in those establishments?

If you would like to share your memories with me and be a part of my book please write to the address below. Privacy will be respected if required.

J M SHANSKY

27 Birch Avenue,

Penwortham,

Preston,

Lancashire PR1 0PB.