Is the UK's stance on hunting racist?

How angry are they? A few years ago Botswana's President Masisi spoke of "a racist onslaught ... when people sit in the comfort of where they are and lecture us about the management of species they don't have".

That was followed by an opinion poll reported by The Times, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail in which a majority of people from eight black African nations described UK plans to ban hunting imports as "racist" and "neo-colonial".

In part they are reacting to the arrogance of a succession of white MPs who told Parliament that Africa's "despicable" and "barbaric" hunting practices were not fit for the "civilised world".

They were making very clear that they do not want the former colonial power to seek to undermine their approach to conservation. In one Westminster debate the sponsor of a bill, Henry Smith MP, said his measure would "help to save thousands of animals" while the minister, Rebecca Pow MP, said it would "protect" species from "impossible pressures".

They are furious also about how British MPs are startlingly ignorant of the reasons for hunting. The MPs live in what Sir David Attenborough calls "one of the most nature-depleted places in the world" so can be forgiven for not understanding the realities of surviving in the midst of ferocious animals.

The UK is so wimpish that we will not even reintroduce lynx or wolves. So what is it like having prides of lions crossing the path your children take to school? Or herds of elephants crashing through your village? If these beasts don't kill you, then they will destroy your homes and crops.