McCartney: United Kingdom gov’t to lose support if it eases hunting ban

The Farmers Union of Wales has called for MPs to support a government amendment to the Hunting Act, which will allow livestock farmers to protect their livestock against losses to foxes. We might find ten foxes and kill one, it is natural selection.

“Please contact your MP today and urge them to safeguard this important wildlife legislation and vote to keep the ban”.

The Hunting Act 2004, which came into force in 2005, bans the hunting of wild mammals including foxes, deer and hares with dogs.

He planned to give his MPs a free vote on easing the restriction on the number of hounds, making it much harder to prosecute hunts.

The SNP made a decision to vote tomorrow against a change to the law allowing hunting with packs of hounds – despite their tradition of abstaining from Westminster votes on non-Scottish matters.

Last night’s SNP move will spark fury among pro-hunting campaigners and Tory backbenchers who will be outraged by the party’s interference in laws which do not concern Scottish constituents.

They have the choice to support or vote against an amendment which would alter the existing legislation.

David Cameron’s plans to relax the foxhunting ban are likely to fail after the SNP decided to take the provocative step of voting against a change in the law that only relates to England and Wales.

He said: “The hunting of wild animals with dogs has been consigned to the dustbin of history, along with cockfighting and bear-baiting, and the idea that this clock ought to be turned back is regressive and unpleasant”.

“If Island residents do not wish to see a return of fox hunting it is imperative they contact the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner now and tell him their views”.

However, following fears that too many Conservative MPs would vote against the repeal, the government has simply proposed to soften the law.

Ministers have put forward changes to the Hunting Act to bring England and Wales in line with Scotland on using dogs to flush out foxes to be shot.

“During the meeting we spoke about politics and Parliament, but most of all about our need to maintain the Hunting Act and champion animal rights here in Parliament”.

“In these circumstances, it is right and proper that we assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories’ proposals to relax the ban”.