L SPITERI wrote (You Say, Saturday, October 2) that "I wish the Government's Hunting Bill every success in Parliament, so Britain can eradicate this barbaric sport for good".

Well said, Mr Spiteri, and what precisely would you like to ban next? Fishing? Boxing? National Hunt horse racing? Rugby Union? Motor racing?

And why not? All these pursuits involve a degree of danger and so-called cruelty, so why not ban them all?

It's a fact that about 20 foxes are killed in the UK each year as a result of hunting. I'm absolutely sure that a great deal more than 20 foxes are killed each year in road accidents, so why don't we ban driving?

This whole debate about fox hunting is ludicrous. The vast majority of people who are up in arms about the fate of our dear, beloved fox have probably never even seen one.

It's all about class war, the working class get annoyed by "toffs" riding around the countryside on horseback.

And with Labour in power, they have an ally who will ban this ancient activity in order to ensure future support for their party.

I wonder how many people who are passionately "anti-hunting" eat eggs produced by battery-farmed chickens, or meat from intensively farmed animals?

It's not about animal welfare but all about imposing the will of the masses on the minority.

What a terrible state this country is in. I personally don't support or oppose hunting, but vehemently oppose the imposition of ill-conceived legislation on the basis of blind prejudice.

GARY WEBB,

Worcester.