From Maureen Evershed
There is a serious flaw in the logic of “eco-fur” from pest species (14 December 2002, p 13, and 11 January 2003, p 23). If a “fur-trapping industry” were allowed to become established, then it would be in the interests of this industry to ensure that a continuous supply of possums be maintained in New Zealand – and likewise, foxes in Australia. Any hope of eliminating or seriously reducing any species by encouraging its exploitation is doomed to failure.
Here in Britain it is obvious that fox-hunters would be unable to continue their pursuit if foxes became rare or extinct. One wonders, therefore, to what lengths they would be prepared to go to maintain a viable population of foxes to hunt.
Solihull, West Midlands, UK
