'Now or never' to overturn ban, hunt supporter warns
Senior pro-hunt campaigners have used the fifth anniversary of the fox-hunting ban being passed to say it is now or never in their campaign to make the pastime legal again.
In November 2004, the Government forced through its Hunting Bill, using the Parliament Act to overcome opposition in the House of Lords.
The ban began the following February.
Hunt supporters' hopes for its repeal could hinge on a Conservative victory in the General Election.
Tory leader David Cameron has pledged to allow MPs a free vote on repeal should he become Prime Minister.
Rad Thomas, spokesman for Quorn Hunt, said: "It has been a difficult five years for the hunting community but there has been a real determination to hold together the tradition and the infrastructure of hunting in the hope that one day this awful law would be repealed.
"We have only been able to do that, and prevent rural unemployment, based on hope.
"We have managed five years but I'm not sure we could manage five more with a ban. The support would fade.
"Hunts have continued through trail hunting or flushing foxes to birds of prey but it's not the real thing.
"So far we have staved off the worst effects on the rural economy but that won't last if hunting does not return in its old form."
Clare Rowson, Midlands director of the Countryside Alliance, said: "Our polls consistently tell us that over the past five years support for hunting has increased."
Anti-hunting lobbyists said the hunters have lost the battle and should give up.
Marcus Papadopoulis, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "The hunt lobby's argument that the ban on hunting would plunge the countryside into crisis never rang true and it still doesn't.
"Most people don't see this cruel activity as something they want in society."
League chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "Support for the Hunting Act has gone from strength to strength over the past five years."
8 Comments
by Giles Bradshaw, rose ash
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 11:59AM
“Regarding damage to fields from horses. Hooves can actually do a lot of good to fields. It's crucial to some flowering plants that their seeds are trodden into the ground by hooves.
Churning up fields a little leads to an increase in bio diversity by leading to a more varied habitat.”
by Gary Hills, Hertfordshire
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 11:30AM
“In reply to Jon, I doubt you could provide one factual aspect to the information you claim.
To make out horses have been put down because people were not hunting is just silly and untrue. People who own horses do not do so solely for the reasons of riding to hounds. Besides that hunts have not been banned from riding only the cruelty has.
You're claims of job losses are also false, if records exists there may be as few as just 3 or 4 nationally...there was a point your hunting lobby was claiming a million job losses. So I think the public are right not to believe tales of hardship.
Hunts cause a lot of damage to farmer¿s fields, crops and fences. Or have you not seen how deep a horse¿s hoof will go into soft ground on full gallop. How you claim hunts keep a watchful eye is also untrue. Hunts focus on one aspect chasing the fox. In terms of vandals well the hunts themselves do quite a good job.
I could write loads to correct your assumptions as they are strain out of the public deception guide to hunting reality.
Foxes do not need to be trapped and even shot. Foxes take less then 1% of all farm stock; where as 5/7% is lost through exposure to the elements. So it¿s quite clear on the maths the bigger problem.
Its time to wake up the hunting ban is just and right. It wanted and those who break it should be treated as criminals.
Its nothing about fox population control, which is one of the biggest myths going. Many hunts bread foxes to ensure they have some poor animal to terrorise and kill.
So in short stop treating the public with disrespect, the myths do not work and its time all pro hunters started to obey society¿s law.
It is hear to stay its time to get used to it.”
by karin, Oadby
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 2:11PM
“If the people in red coats love killing vermin so much let them get a job with a pest control company. Get paid too!! Seriously chaps, can't you apply yourselves to something more important than an unpleasant hobby.”
by Paul, oadby
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 1:09PM
“Jon, Leics, maybe your country friends should hire someone who can do the job properly and shoot straight.”
by Jon, leics
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 12:42PM
“Mr A - i dont know what part of the countryside you grew up in but I know quite a few people who's life has been aversly affected by the hunting ban, stables have suffered, horses put down, people have lost their jobs, farmers are suffering more vandalism and theft because the hunt members and supporters are not going out into their fields so often so less friendly eyes about and livestock farmers are suffering more problems with foxes which means they are now having to trap and shoot foxes instead of leaving it to the hunt to keep the numbers in check, this is leading to more injury and maiming of foxes than ever happened when hunting controlled them.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 11:37AM
“Pete.
There is no way that this disgrace of a Labour Government will continue past the next General Election.”
by Pete, Wigston, Leicestershire
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 11:14AM
“Let's hope voters are sensible enough to ensure the Conservatives do not win the next election then.”
by Mr A, A field
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 10:53AM
“Having grown up in the countryside I can safely say I don't know anyone who has directly or indirectly worked for the hunt or had their work suffer in any way due to the ban. I have never heard of a convincing argument as to why the law should be repealed.
Hunting was the preserve of a few spoilt brats who need to grow up and move on.”