19 Feb 1999

Dear Lord Burns

I am writing as Chairman and ex-Master (1992-1999) of one of the longest established packs of Bloodhounds.

We are not and never could be a viable alternative to Foxhunting. Bloodhound packs and Drag hound packs could not cope with the numbers of people who currently hunt with the many fox hound packs.

There are about 11Bloodhound packs who attract 20-40 followers each day hunted and Bloodhound packs usually only hunt 1 day per week.

There are about 220 Fox hound packs who attract 50-150 followers each day hunted and fox hound packs usually hunt 2-4 days per week.

Bloodhound packs provide no useful service to the farmer in terms of vermin control or disposal of fallen stock. Although Farmers welcome Bloodhounds once a year with 20-40 mounted followers, they would not welcome us 4-5 times a year with 50-150 mounted followers.

It is very doubtful that we would be able to continue if Fox hunting was banned because we are very dependent on the Foxhound packs to keep the countryside open and possible to cross on horseback.

Our Expenditure on running the Farmers Bloodhounds is £40,000 pa, We go out 46 days per year with an average of 25 mounted followers. It costs each follower about £120 per day hunted to keep their horse, which adds up to an expenditure of £138,000 by our subscribers on their horses.

Yours Sincerely

Sir John Aird