So how do anti-hunting groups propose to manage wildlife?

Badgers - the Countryside Alliance asks what form of animal welfare is acceptable to anti-hunting groups?

Hunting Act has not stopped cruelty to foxes; it must now be strengthened

WE can discuss the incidents of bad behaviour by hunts, just as we can discuss the equally bad exploits of anti-hunt activists, but these are side issues (The Yorkshire Post, March 27).

We don’t say that the car should be banned because of the actions of some reckless and dangerous drivers on the road or argue that all farming should be ended because of cruelty cause by a rogue farmer.

Animal welfare policies continue to generate strong views.

The Hunting Act was once hailed as sound legislation by the all the anti-hunting organisations, yet now they admit it is flawed and presumably seek further parliamentary time and public money to correct it.

And while talking of this law, why was shooting foxes hailed as the humane alternative at its time of passing and yet shooting badgers to curb the spread of bovine TB is condemned by  the South Yorkshire Badger Group?

It surely can’t be the case that badgers feel pain and foxes don’t.

The central question never answered by anti-hunting groups is what methods of wildlife management do they advocate?

It’s one thing to dislike an activity, but if you are serious about improving wild animal welfare it is absolutely crucial to know what will take its place.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor