THE election forum in Stroud earlier this month highlighted the gulf in policy between Labour and the Tories on wildlife.

The sitting MP, Neil Carmichael, staunchly defends the government’s costly, inhumane and ineffective badger cull, whilst the former MP, David Drew, supports Labour’s policy of ending the pointless slaughter.

The last government has also done a great disservice to farmers by convincing them that the cull will work, whilst keeping quiet about the much greater success with cattle testing and movement control.

Unfortunately, the government’s desire to sacrifice wildlife for pleasure and big business extends much further.

Neil Carmichael wants to take us back to the 19th century and allow foxes to be chased across the countryside before being ripped apart with hounds for the sheer joy of the huntsmen and women.

In the last five years, representatives of the Tory-led government or their agencies have been contemplating the slaughter of cormorants, buzzards, starlings, pied wagtails and even robins.

Apparently, robins can pose a health and safety hazard and regulations should be eased to allow their destruction.

Legislation already exists to allow this in extreme circumstances as demonstrated in 2004 to great uproar at a Thornbury garden centre.

Elsewhere, other action that which is illegal has not been stamped on.

The hen harrier is virtually extinct in England because of persecution by gamekeepers on the big grouse moor estates, and seals are now being shot by salmon farm fisherman.

To save our wildlife, the Tories must be culled.

Clive Mowforth

Dursley