Disturbing pledge on hunting; Your Say.

AS an animal lover, I was deeply disturbed to hear the Conservative's Shadow Environment spokesman, Nick Herbert MP say on Radio 4's Today Programme recently that one of the priorities of any new Conservative Government would be the repeal of the present ban on hunting with dogs.

I feel that this is flying in the face of public opinion. Poll after poll has shown that and in both town and country there is widespread opposition to the cruel "sports" of fox and deer hunting.

That is why, on a free vote, MPs from across all major parties backed the existing legislation when it was introduced in 2004 Also disturbing is the news that Mr Herbert received pounds 24,500 in seven separate donations following an announcement on July 22 at the Peterborough Festival of Hunting that it would be a Conservatives manifesto commitment to hold a free vote on whether or not to repeal the Hunting Act.

One animal welfare body - the League Against Cruel Sports - feels that this policy change may have been influenced by the donations.

I understand that the league has now taken the matter up with the Standards Commission asking for a full and transparent inquiry into the matter.

I feel animal welfare may be set back a decade if the Tories are returned to power. People often say they can't tell the difference between the two main political parties, but this is one example of where there is a very clear dividing line.

ASHOK KUMAR MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland