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Minister Jim Paice says Hunting Act is unworkable
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, pictured left, is in favour of hunting with dogs
The Hunting Act "simply doesn't work", Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has said, as hundreds of hunts gathered for their traditional Boxing Day meets.
On a visit to hunt kennels in Peterborough, the Conservative minister said he supported hunting with dogs.
He added that the coalition agreed there would be a vote on whether to repeal the act when there was "time in the parliamentary calendar".
The 2005 act makes it illegal to hunt wild animals using dogs.
Hunt supporters describe the act as expensive and failed, and are calling for it to be repealed. But opponents say there is no desire among the general public to bring it back.
Ahead of the annual hunt in Milton Park, Peterborough, Mr Paice, whose ministerial portfolio includes hunting, said: "The current law simply doesn't work.
"I personally am in favour of hunting with dogs - and the coalition agreement clearly states that we will have a free vote on whether to repeal the act when there is time in the parliamentary calendar to do so."
Anti-hunt campaigner Michael Haines and supporter Tracy Casstles give their views on fox hunting
Alice Barnard, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said 250,000 people were expected to come out to support their local hunt.
It was a point of pride for rural communities across the UK that, despite prejudice, hunting remained as strong as ever, she added.
Tracy Casstles, also from the Countryside Alliance, said the act was "confused" and a waste of police time, as she insisted hunts tried to work within the law.
Hunt saboteur Michael Haines, however, said he has seen the law being broken "every single week".
League Against Cruel Sports chief executive Joe Duckworth said it was "utterly appalling" that people could think "chasing a wild animal with hounds to the point of exhaustion and then taking pleasure in watching it being killed was acceptable".
"This cruel blood sport has thankfully been made illegal in this country and there is absolutely no desire among the general public to bring it back."
North Devon Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey said the law was "dangerous" because of the impracticalities of trying to enforce it.
Devon and Cornwall Police have never issued any cautions, fines or convicted anyone associated with hunting since the ban came into effect, and Mr Harvey said: "I think Parliament has passed a piece of legislation that it is not possible in practice to implement, and I think that's dangerous.
"The message that sends out is that some people's activities are beyond the arm of the law."
But Labour's Mary Creagh, the shadow environment secretary, rejected calls to change the current law. She said: "There is no place for animal cruelty in a civilised society and most people back Labour's ban on hunting wild animals with dogs.
"People are worried about their incomes falling, prices rising and losing their jobs, yet this out of touch Tory-led government want to bring hunting back."
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Comment number 158.
Mwbar126th December 2011 - 11:19
I am the son of a farmer who refused the hunt permission to ride over his land. They asked very politely, were refused and then ignored that answer routinely. They always repaired damage to hedges later but my father's view was that they were more trouble than they were worth, with sheep escaping in the meantime or damage to crops and them often catching ..... nothing.
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Comment number 129.
ShinyDavidHowell26th December 2011 - 11:04
Although I am uncomfortable with the idea of hunting with hounds, the law against it is utterly unenforceable, and hence there is a strong case to repeal it - just like any other well-intentioned law that didn't work as intended.
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Comment number 90.
James Martyn26th December 2011 - 10:45
First off, many people on here say it is a sport for the rich, or upper class which is absolute nonsense. Many of the followers and supporters are farmers and other rural citizens most of whom are probably a lot lower class than many of the anti's on here. Many of these people in the countryside also probably do a lot more for this country (food production etc) than many of the "townies" do
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Comment number 47.
robkimberley26th December 2011 - 10:35
Interesting comments. Left vs Right, Town vs Country. I was born in the country and have lived here most of my life here, and swing to the right, but I can't stand hunting, and I know a lot of people here where I live who support that view. I know it all looks very jolly, but fundamentally hunting with dogs is wrong and should be consigned to the history books.
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Comment number 36.
acvdm198926th December 2011 - 10:30
In the minority I think here.
Farmers son i am. Born and bred in the countryside and used to support hunting but realised it no longer has a place in today's society. Farmers feel like they have a "duty" to support the hunt, but I tell them why should they?
The cut up the fields in the winter with their horses causing damage. I much prefer paying someone to shoot wild animals than hunt them.
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Comments 5 of 6