Nothing wrong with field sports

I read with interest your report “Tougher Laws Urged on Blood Sports” (Aug 26), quoting remarks made by John Carmody, director of the Animal Rights Action Network, ahead of a planned rally in Dublin last Sunday.

Mr Carmody wants the forthcoming Animal Health & Welfare Bill to include some kind of ban on what he describes as “bloodsports”.

It may seem like a mere question of wording to those less knowledgeable, but for we who devote our weekends to hunting, “bloodsports” is a loaded term used to demonise the traditional sporting heritage of small town/rural Ireland.