Letters: Let the countryside be managed by country people

SIR - I do not condone any of the threats to Chris Packham over his role in persuading Natural England to revoke the licences to allow the culling of several birds, including crows and wood pigeons.

However, these birds, along with others including jays and magpies, are responsible for eating the eggs of small birds and farmers’ crops.

Farmers are not a threat to wildlife; over the last few years they have planted 16,000 miles of hedges to provide a habitat for small birds and mammals.

This has only created a larger larder for the birds Natural England seek to protect, the red kite being one of the major contributors to small bird losses.

It looks as though Michael Gove will remove Natural England's powers and maybe have the courage to disband another unnecessary quango.

Let the countryside be managed by country people.

Ian Nichols, Highcliffe