I AGREE with the author of the letter headed 'Be Warned: Deer are a Plague' (LET, March 18).

Those of us who try to maintain a rational basis for wildlife law have the dilemma of trying to maintain a balance.

At the moment the emphasis seems to be towards animals rather than insects and plants. Badgers are a similar problem to deer, their voracious appetites destroy many insects.

The Badger Act (1992) created a situation similar to the deer - with no natural enemies the species continues to expand.

It should be remembered, however, that the rat is as intelligent and capable of feeling pain and yet is afforded no such protection because the problem of infestation is obvious.

I have often wondered how these animals are 'controlled' along our many miles of rail track as they are obviously a menace to the travelling public.

P C GOLDER, Grimshaw Street, Darwen.