Sir, – With the election fast approaching it is worth reflecting on how the present coalition government has fared on animal welfare issues. I think the last five years have been a disaster for animals.

The government has introduced a badger cull, overturned a ban on battery cages for "game birds"; dropped charges against slaughterhouse workers who abused animals; attempted to license the destruction of buzzards eggs and nests to protect shooting interests; kept the cost of a gun licence so low that taxpayers are funding most of the cost for administering applications; subsidised wealthy shoot owners using taxpayers' money; failed to ban the use of wild animals in circuses despite MPs voting for it; failed to ensure enough vets at slaughter houses as happened in the disgraced Bowood abattoir near Thirsk.

All in all not much of a record but hardly surprising from a government that panders to and is mainly made up of large landowners and wealthy businessmen.

I have a good idea what the next five years will bring if the Conservatives win. It would be interesting to hear Mr Blackie's views' re animal welfare.

JAMES ALDERSON

Grinton, Richmond.