Surely hunting ban is getting it right? (From Wiltshire Times)

Surely hunting ban is getting it right?

9:46am Friday 8th January 2010 in Letters

I am writing in amazement at the article published in the Wiltshire Times (January 1) about the Boxing Day meeting of the Avon Vale Hunt at Lacock.

It was obviously a great success, with a record crowd and no anti-hunt protests.

The Joint Hunt Master, Jonathan Seed, said: “It was a brilliant day on Boxing Day, a huge success.

“There were about 6,000 people there and no opposition to the hunt at all. It's great to see everybody thoroughly enjoying the celebrations.”

Mr Seed goes on to say that this indicates that the hunting ban is badly thought out and needs repealing.

It seems strange that Mr Seed should see the hunting ban as a failure, when the hunt’s popularity has increased so much since its implementation.

Surely, the record crowds show that many people want to support the tradition of the hunt and see its spectacle, but do not want to see foxes killed.

The lack of protests is not surprising, as there is nothing to protest about if the hunts follow the law.

I would have thought that Mr Seed would be a great supporter of the ban, as it means that the hunt can continue its tradition without protests and many more people can witness its great spectacle.

The continuing opposition to the ban implies that many huntsmen are more interested in killing foxes for their own enjoyment than in continuing the tradition of the hunt and increasing its popularity.

Clive Merritt, Kingsley Place, Trowbridge.