SO the League Against Cruel Sports is once again voicing its opinion on hunting and, rightly or wrongly, hunting is in the news.

But who decides what is cruel, and who decides the level of cruelty that is acceptable?

At the moment, those of us who own horses are fighting this Government's plans to re-establish the live export of horses to the Continent for slaughter.

There are around 800,000 equines in this country, and if the EEC gets its way and forces the Government to scrap the minimum value rule, then these horses and ponies that we love and cherish will be in danger of having to suffer the most dreadful misery and torment, as they are transported in shocking conditions to Southern Italy and Sardinia to be killed, often not humanely, by people who have no feelings towards horses, as we here in the UK have.

Here we have options as to how we dispose of our horses and, at a time when we need support, the tact and compassion that comes from the local huntsman, or even horse slaughterer, is something that we have come to appreciate. Soon we shall have no one if this corrupt Government gets its way.

Perhaps the League Against Cruel Sports should turn its attention on supporting the International League Against Cruelty to Horses, and fight the re-introduction of live export.

Penelope Dickinson

Edgworth

Bolton