John Parry's article on fox hunting (The Argus, July 4) and the cruelty involved in the religious slaughter of animals is spot on.

A butcher friend once told me that if those methods were shown on TV, these barbaric practices would be banned tomorrow.

If Jewish and Muslim leaders respect the findings of the Farm Animal Welfare Council, which advises our ministers on livestock cruelty, they can always import this meat from outside England.

As for fox hunting, I see yet another child has been savaged by a fox, this time in New Eltham, south east London.

I can only hope that this was one of the non-rabid variety.

-John Harris, Brighton