BLOODSPORT apologist David Stocker's claim (Letters, July 23) that hunters perform the same role as rat catchers, namely, eradicating pests, is insulting to professional rat catchers.

Professionals deal with a problem quickly and efficiently. Hunters, on the other hand, never eradicate what they call vermin. In fact, they import them and preserve them so that they can be hunted year after year just for sport.

Mr Stocker knows full well that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' evidence to the Burns Inquiry into hunting was contradicted by the evidence of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who stated: "Shooting is the recommended method of control in rural areas."

Tony Blair has promised to ban hunting with dogs and most reasonable people will support him in protecting British wildlife.

G METCALFE, Moorhey Crescent, Bamber Bridge.