The hunting of defenceless animals in Northern Ireland should be consigned to history

I had my enjoyment of the News Letter spoiled on Thursday by the letter from Gary McCartney of Countryside Alliance (‘The proposal to ban hunting is a diversion from the real issues facing rural NI,’ January 27, see link below).

In it he refers to a significant rural community which is being ignored by the latest anti-hunting bill.

What surprises me most is how he seems to assume that he speaks for the rural community. As a member of such I can assure him he does not.

The popularity he thinks he enjoys in this community is a delusion. Farmer compliance where it exists seems to be brought about by aggressive coercion. At least that has been my experience.

Hunting defenceless animals should be consigned to history along with slavery and disembowelling.

Jim Colvin, Ballymoney

The proposal to ban hunting is a diversion from the real issues facing rural NI

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