One of the ‘crucial’ points raised again and again in yesterday’s debate by those supporting driven grouse shooting was the money that this activity brings into the countryside and the number of people it employs. Drug dealing brings infinitely greater sums of money to those who are involved in it. So does the distribution of child and extreme pornography. So does shop lifting, burglary and high range car theft. So do many other activities underpinned by criminality. An activity should not be judged on the amount of money it brings in but on the damage it causes, particularly when much of that damage is caused illegally. The financial benefits of activities underpinned by criminality are irrelevant when addressing the criminality itself.

There is a major correlation between the driven grouse shooting industry and destruction of OUR wildlife and environment. IT MUST STOP.