THE BADMINTON TRUST
For conservation & education

The Badminton Conservation and Educational Trust for the Countryside,
Stone Cottage, Stockerston, Near Uppingham, Leicestershire LE15 9JD Tel. 01572 823448

16th February, 2000.

Please find enclosed submission from The Badminton Trust for your Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs.

The Badminton Trust was founded in 1986 with the aim of taking into its ownership, by gift or purchase, some of the smaller woods and rough places which were in danger of falling into the hounds of people who did not appreciate the beauty of the countryside.

In addition, it has a remit to educate people, particularly the young, in the ways of the countryside and its management, with particular reference to woodlands and rough places. Already, many Schools have visited the Trust's properties.

All its woods are managed to the highest standard applicable to the areas in which they are situated. The Trust is particularly concerned that what has gone on before in its woods should continue.

I also enclose our two leaflets, and should you require any further information please don't hesitate to ask.

J.J. INGLESANT

(Hon. Secretary)

The Lord Burns,
Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs,
PO Box 31010,
LONDON, SW1H 9ZL.

THE BADMINTON TRUST
For conservation & education

The Badminton Conservation and Educational Trust for the Countryside,
Stone Cottage, Stockerston, Near Uppingham, Leicestershire LE15 9JD Tel. 01572 823448

The Trustees of The Badminton Trust asked me to submit their views on the subject of Hunting with Hounds.

We believe that there must be a proper balance kept in all the wild life which inhabits the countryside. Further, we are of the firm opinion that, taking all things into consideration, the most effective and humane method of controlling, and at the same time keeping a lively fox population, is by hunting with hounds. Other methods of killing, such as shooting, trapping, snaring and gassing, are not only cruel, but also indiscriminate. We would here mention that our principal concern is with fox hunting, as most of our properties are in fox hunting areas, but the same would apply to deer and hare hunting.

We are of the opinion that a healthy fox population performs a valuable service in the countryside by keeping down the rabbit, rat and mouse population, and in scavenging for dead and rotting mammals and birds. As this Trust is primarily concerned with woodlands, we realise the value of the fox as a predator of the animals which can do such harm to young and newly planted trees.

For this reason we like to see foxes in our woodlands, and believe that hunting with hounds is the best way of keeping a balanced fox population, and distributing that population evenly throughout the local countryside.

All our woodland management is consistent with best forestry practice. We actively encourage good relations with our neighbouring farmers. Therefore it is important that our woods are not over, or under, populated with foxes. If they do become a problem for the local farmers we believe that the Hunts are the best people to deal with them.

We are aware of the free service Hunts give, often with voluntary as well as professional labour, in maintaining gates, fences, rides and ground cover, both for mammals and birds. We are also aware of the strong influence for good they have for the social and community life in remote rural areas.

We have a strong educational remit, and take parties of schoolchildren to many of our properties. They are shown, not only much of the wild life contained in the woods, but see how the English countryside, which they so much admire, has been influenced by the sporting interests of the land owners, both past and present. On occasions they have seen cubs at play, and are able to study at close hand the flora, fauna, birds and mammals which inhabit our woodlands. They are shown the best methods of woodland management, and that it needs constant care and attention. They are made aware of nature's life cycle, of birth, life and death, from which, in an ever increasingly urban society, they are isolated.

J.J. INGLESANT

15th February, 2000. (Hon. Secretary to The Badminton Trust)