The opening line on the National Trust website is.... 'The nation’s heritage and the natural environment are under threat.'.... This is so true, so many of our species and habitats are under threat, and we need the land held in trust for us to protect them. A perfect example of this is the iconic Hen Harrier, one of the most beautiful raptors anywhere in the world. This beautiful bird has been driven to near extinction on  British uplands, due almost entirely, to the mismanagement of Grouse moors for sport. These uplands are areas where all predators are ruthlessly exterminated to provide unnaturally large bags of Grouse for shooters, but believe it or not this is taking place on National Trust land, land which is public land held in trust for all of us. It is not just Hen Harriers that are suffering as a result of a minority's obsession with killing wildlife for fun though, recent press reports have highlighted the poor behaviour of many organised hunts on National Trust land, with bans having to be imposed by the National Trust for  various breaches of licence conditions.

Shooting and hunting of wildlife for fun should be confined to the last century, with over 80% of the public against it, and the National Trust should recognise this immediately.

Hunting and shooting should never be allowed on National Trust land and I call for a complete ban on these activities on National Trust land.