Look after our hedgerows

SIR - Farmers and landowners have been given millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to look after the countryside, bus some seem intent on destroying it. This money is given to steep and lay hedges, repair hedges and plant woodlands, not to destroy it. So

SIR - Farmers and landowners have been given millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to look after the countryside, bus some seem intent on destroying it.This money is given to steep and lay hedges, repair hedges and plant woodlands, not to destroy it.Some seem determined to chop down trees and rip out hedges even though they may have been there for many years.Since 1945 we have lost 250,000km of hedgerows through neglect or removal.Homeowners have to adhere to strict planning regulations, yet it seems that schemes set up to protect habitats that sustain our wildlife are not being used for the purpose intended and advice given by many that try to protect our countryside and wildlife, like the RSPB, are not being listened to, for example, planting trees on hedges at 50-metre intervals. You only have to drive around the country lanes to see that this just isn't happening like it should.While there are a few farmers and landowners who are responsible and environmentally aware and more than willing to take advice and act on it, there are many more who just don't care and are intent on ripping the heart out of our countryside.We are constantly preached to about taking care of the environment. Trees and hedgerows are an important and vital part of our eco-system which sustain many mammals, birds, insects, flowers and fauna.Laws should be implemented to protect our wildlife and its habitats. We should not allow a mindless few to destroy them.D DuMont (Mrs), Chulmleigh.