THE Government's Committee of Inquiry into Hunting chaired by Lord Burns visited the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth to listen to oral evidence from an audience of 50 invited guests.

This provided an opportunity for those affected by the inquiry terms of reference of to offer their specialist knowledge to the inquiry team.

Lord Burns heard claims that a hunting ban would impact economic, cultural, social, conservation and animal welfare issues in Wales.

During the evening representatives from the FUW, NFU Wales, CLA Wales, Federation of Welsh Packs Union of Country Sports Workers and many other individuals, highlighted what they claimed would be the devastating impact that any ban would have on the Welsh countryside.

Politicians from the opposition parties from the National Assembly for Wales were unanimous in their evidence that any legislation to ban hunting in the Principality would harm the already fragile agricultural and rural communities. Contributions were received from Kirsty Williams, Mick Bates, Glyn Davies, and Rhodri Glyn Thomas.

Among the many individuals who gave evidence to Lord Burns was a veterinary surgeon, a moorland keeper, a farmer and a farriers wife.

Adrian Simpson, director of the Countryside Alliance in Wales said: "The alliance has always welcomed this inquiry and co-operated fully with Lord Burns and his team.

"It is gratifying that members of the inquiry have previously visited Wales on three occasions to view how hunting is conducted and again returned to hear oral evidence presented by real people from a real countryside. This inquiry will give each and every politician the opportunity to examine facts not fiction, and the truth not rhetoric."