I FEEL I must refute the claims and statements made in the Letters pages of February 19.

Hunts operate with the will of the landowner. It is not the case that hunts trespass with wild abandon on the countryside.

It is the responsibility of the masters and field-masters to make sure the hunt stays on land where permission has been sought.

I also made it clear that hunting is illegal, contrary to Mr Ward’s assertion. I am not pretending otherwise.

We teach children about a lot of things that are illegal. It doesn’t make the teaching any less relevant.

Whether you are for or against hunting, it is part of the countryside. Children are the future of the countryside. If they are taught at an early age what goes go on, it can then be up to them whether they wish to continue it.

We must give them the facts, not dictate.

James Kerslake, York.