IN his letter on August 20, Shooting industry vital for uplands, Giles Bradshaw forgets to say one word about the cruel, barbaric slaughter of birds for so-called sport on August 12.

For that dubious pleasure, the blood sports industry shoots, poisons and traps several native mammal and bird species and burns heather to the detriment of many birds, insects and plants.

Hunters and blood sports enthusiasts in general claim that they are a positive force for conservation.

The spokespersons for blood sports societies are fond of boasting that they are the "guardians of the countryside".

If these people had been genuine conservationists the British countryside should have been safe in their hands, but for all their boasts and power, they have presided over massive destruction of the British countryside and its wildlife.

Since the Second World War, Britain has lost 95 per cent of traditional hay meadow, 99 per cent of lowland heaths, 80 per cent of chalk downlands, 80 per cent of limestone grassland, 80 per cent of fens and mires, 90 per cent of lowland ponds, 50 per cent of ancient lowland woods and 150,000 miles of hedgerow.

At the end of the day, Giles, rearing animals and birds to kill is cruel, and to pay to do it is just evil.

Kathy Moyle

Collins Park

East Budleigh