'COMPARE' is one of the key words imposed by government on local authorities.

A fox loves to kill as a sport: usually chickens and very young lambs. A fox will behead a pen full of chickens and not bother to take one to eat. A fish only kills to eat!

A fisherman hooks a fish, 'plays' it to exhaustion, sometimes for up to half an hour; extracts the hook, often causing more damage to a mouth already badly torn. No escape - the fish either dies of its wounds or is thrown back into the water to live a life of constant discomfort. Fish are bred in large quantities for the 'sport'.

A fox is chased to exhaustion and then killed by hounds. Sometimes the hunt is outwitted and the fox escapes. There is no escape for the fish, even if it breaks the line it still has the hook embedded in its mouth.

It is more cruel to shoot, snare or trap foxes. The comparison is undeniable.

Is it right for anyone to support a ban on foxhunting without a ban on fishing, or vice versa?

As an English sportsman, Mr Foster should have included a ban on fishing in his Anti-Hunting Private Member's Bill. It was hypocritical and discriminating not to have done so and indicates lack of fair play.

During the last few months, back to November in fact, we have all mourned the dead and congratulated the living who fought so valiantly for the freedom of this country and the rest of Europe.

Freedom of choice was their aim: they succeeded, fortunately for us.

Who, then, has the right to remove this freedom purely for political, personal and vindictive reasons? Thereby creating undue hardship to many who deserve equal treatment to those who enjoy the same activities involving wild creatures.

Comparisons are odious but, as the government edicted to compare, is it not reasonable for their members to stick to their self-imposed rules?

A ban on foxhunting will lead to a ban on fishing as surely as night follows day. In the long term, one can envisage a proposal to ban boxing and rugby football.

Mr Foster, I suggest you call off your 'hounds', otherwise you are signing your own sport's death warrant. You are also in danger of having to support a ban on fishing - an unenviable invidious position of your own making.

R A BULLOCK, County Councillor, Crome Division.