The following letter was sent to The Telegraph today by Andrew Gilruth.
Sir,
Since the new government’s entire programme is predicated on economic growth, it should not spend too much time listening to Chris Packham’s views on the countryside (Comment, August 14). For example, he feels driven grouse shooting should cease but conveniently forgets that it is one of the world’s most successful conservation stories which also supports thousands of jobs in some of our most remote and economically challenged upland communities. For generations we have known what a hard day’s work is and perhaps more importantly we want to work. To achieve economic growth the government will need to draw lessons from our successes rather than dwell on the views of those wishing to dismantle rural cohesion.
Andrew Gilruth
Chief Executive,
The Moorland Association