Your article on fox hunting is quite correct in stating there is little room for compromise between the two sets of opinions on the issue.

However, the views of the pro-hunting lobby and the anti-hunt campaigners are only of secondary importance. These two groups of people campaign for and against the sport, but the far more important body of opinion is the farmers of this country.

Before the ban farmers in seven rural Labour constituencies, including Loughborough, the Wrekin, Vale of Clwyd, and North Warwickshire, were asked to sign a petition against a hunting ban on their farms. In excess of 95 per cent in all constituencies opposed a ban on hunting, specifically dispersal and culling of foxes with dogs.

Farmers will invariably allow people to kill pigeons, rats and foxes on their land without payment, in contrast to those who wish to play football, fish or shoot game who usually have to pay for the privilege.

The ban is an insult to farmers as it questions their integrity and their knowledge of wildlife management.

Families are quite capable of deciding whether foxes should be left alone on the family farm, or shot or hunted if fox control is necessary.

Robin Smith-Ryland, Warwick.