Different viewpoint on farmers
I don't agree with T Lloyd, of Oswestry, that animal farmers are more wildlife-minded than a lot of ordinary people. A few years ago I was in conversation with a lovely 90-year-old lady who had spent all her life on a farm.
I don't usually care much for those in the business of making money from the abuse of animals, but she knew no different and I sensed she had a kindness about her which I liked and a wicked sense of humour.
As we were speaking a buzzard flew over and I made a comment about it. "Oh so that's a buzzard is it?" she said.
I was astounded that someone who had lived all her life in the countryside knew so little about wildlife.
She told me her husband never cared about nesting birds and would cut his hedges in early summer. She also told me about another farmer who would take a worn-out sheep dog and hang it over a bridge by the neck until it was dead, then drop it into the river.
When I displayed shock, she said: "Oh but that's what happens in the country and we women never questioned it."
So you see Mr Lloyd though I don't doubt there are a handful of caring farmers who take a pride in protecting areas for wildlife, I believe the majority are only interested in making as much money as possible from their suffering animals and can't be bothered about wildlife habitats.
Judi Hewitt, Rhyl, Denbighshire
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