DEFRA launches hunting ban campaign

DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn has launched a campaign to support the fox hunting ban amid claims a Conservative government would repeal the Hunting Act.

Mr Benn called for people to add their names to a website in a bid to raise awareness about Conservative plans to scrap the ban if they came into power.

The campaign has been launched to coincide with the traditional Boxing Day hunt.

Mr Benn said fox hunting was “barbaric” and warned getting the act repealed was a “priority” for the Conservative leader David Cameron.

“He used to hunt foxes – he talked about fox hunting in his first ever speech to Parliament – and he has said that if he becomes Prime Minister he will get rid of the fox hunting ban.

“But, like the vast majority of people, I think that the barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces shouldn’t return to our countryside.”

“If you think the Tories have changed, their views on fox hunting with dogs make it absolutely clear that their priorities haven’t,” he added.

Hunting foxes with dogs has been outlawed since 2005, although hounds are still allowed to flush out a fox, but not kill it.

Only nine prosecutions of traditional hunts have been made since the ban was made, with three convictions.

The Conservatives have long been vocal about their disagreement with the Hunting Act.

In an interview with Farmers Weekly, shadow farm minister Jim Paice said a Conservative leadership would allow a free vote to give the opportunity to repeal the ban.

Mr Cameron has also said the ban “doesn’t make sense” and said a Conservative government would consider creating a regulatory body for fox hunting which could work towards “minimising animal suffering”.

Only a small number of prosecutions under the Hunting Act have reached court since 2005, but the League Against Cruel Sports said the arguments in favour of repeal “don’t stack up”.

“The truth of the matter is that hunting is barbaric and cruel,” chief executive Douglas Batchelor told the BBC.

“The only purpose it serves is to appease the sick minds of a very small minority who enjoy torturing animals for their own entertainment.

But the Countryside Alliance said such laws “should have no place in a modern, tolerant and free society”.

“The hunting community stands united and determined to secure repeal and huge support is anticipated this year,” it added.