Sir, – I welcome the opportunity to continue the debate regarding the management of driven grouse moors as raised in these pages recently.

First of all, although Amanda Anderson (D&S Times letters Nov 28) denigrates the media profile of the RSPB, I understand, that her PR company handled the public relations work for the Moorland Association for several years – a matter of the pot calling the kettle black?

She may be interested to note that North Yorkshire has the well deserved status of being the worst place for reported raptor persecution incidents in the whole of the UK. It has held this status for six of the last seven years (ref RSPB BirdCrime report ) An average of 39 reported incidents per year were recorded during this time.

There is also evidence that the management of grouse moors is actually bad for the wider environment and wildlife other than raptors. It can affect water quality, flooding, greenhouse gases and aquatic wildlife.

In Scotland, 1,500 mountain hares were slaughtered in the Lammermuir Hills. Stoats, foxes, crows, golden eagles, hedgehogs and badgers are also persecuted by some shooting estates.

Ms Anderson also raises the economic benefits of grouse shooting. However if grouse shooting creates 1,500 jobs and 42,500 days work, that equates to 30 days per year on average. A whole bunch of beaters, so not really 1500 jobs.

It would of course be devastating for those employees who would lose their jobs if shooting was banned. Just as it was when the world changed for miners, steel workers and government workers who lost their jobs when their world collapsed around them.

Finally, ironic as it is about the birth of hen harrier chicks on moors managed by gamekeepers, such moors should be able to hold 300 breeding pairs in England. Do the maths and the shooting community does not pass the simplest examination of its track record.

ALLAN HUNTON

Ormesby Crescent, Northallerton.