I WAS astonished to learn that only two weeks after Labour returned to power, Tony Banks has been harassing and firing up back bench MPs regarding hunting with dogs, having tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the issue.

I fail to understand why certain MPs are so obsessed with the issue of hunting when we have far more important issues such as healthcare, transport, education, crime, Europe and the future of farming needing Parliament's urgent attention.

I was also disappointed by the fact that the Queen's Speech did not feature any rescue package or regeneration measures for the countryside. Why is there not an EDM on something that would benefit the countryside, for example an independent commission on the future of farming or the establishment of rural proofing mechanisms?

Having created a new department for rural issues, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Government has a rare opportunity to show that it actually plans to do something for the countryside rather than to it.

It is vital that this new department exerts its presence in a positive way and demonstrates that it is prepared to tackle the real problems faced by rural Britain.

Whilst the countryside was reeling under the dreadful effects of foot and mouth, the Government spent a whole day debating the future of hunting with dogs. This was a scandalous abuse of Parliamentary time and an insult to the thousands of farmers facing ruin.

What the countryside needs now is constructive help and advice, not a deliberate kick in the teeth encouraged by a man who appears to be consumed with prejudice and hatred for the people who hunt with absolutely no regard for animal welfare.

C N BURROWS-WOOD MFH, Tedstone Delamere, Bromyard.