IN her letter "Birds suffering in the name of sport" August 12, Kathy Moyle lambasts the grouse shooting industry.

The natural environment industry recently praised the industry for repairing 257 miles of dry stone walls, digging 4,485 ponds to encourage wildlife, and planting 1.1 million trees.

The previous Labour government also supported the industry, which makes a massive contribution to the economic viability of our uplands.

I very much disagree with Kathy Moyle's statement that "this isn't conservation", and am glad both the Opposition and the Government do too.

We need to continue developing and restoring Britain's uplands, and this can best be achieved if funded and motivated by a combination of agricultural, sporting and leisure interests backed by appropriate government grants.

Giles Bradshaw

Rose Ash