Should the hunting ban be lifted? Tell us what you think.

By Margery_H | Monday, May 17, 2010, 18:19

One of the many effects that this Conservative - Lib Dem coalition may have on the South West is the potential lift on the fox hunting ban.

Will the hunting ban be lifted?

David Cameron has been very outspoken about his views on the ban over the last couple of months and has confirmed that he plans to hold a free vote on decriminalising hunting with dogs. Nick Clegg, although apparently against fox hunting, has also stated that he will agree to holding the vote.

The fox hunting ban was bought in by our Labour government in 2005, but has since been widely criticised by many.

Last month David Cameron said: "I always thought the ban was a mistake because I think it is very difficult to enforce.

"I think it's somewhere where the criminal law shouldn't go. But it will be a free vote.

"The fox population has to be controlled. Every farmer will tell you that, and every farmer will tell you that the methods now being used - gassing, shooting, trapping and snaring, are very cruel. The case on animal welfare grounds for the hunting ban I've always thought was very weak."

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Mr Cameron revealed that his views on hunting could have been shaped through his upbringing and country roots: "I'm a country boy. I was brought up in the countryside and I love walking and riding and every aspect of growing up in the countryside. I was taught to fish by a wonderful grandfather. I was taught to shoot rabbits by my dad, and I went hunting as well.

"People like riding across the countryside. Lots of people do it together. It's an opportunity to see parts of the countryside you never see before. It's something that happened in the countryside for a very many years."

Do you agree that there should be a free vote on fox hunting? Which way would you vote and why?

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Comments

in response to the previous "a mangy fox hiding in my barn virtually too ill to survive. Hunting with hounds would have meant that he probably would have been dispatched quickly and humanely instead of dying slowly and miserably"
You obviously have never witnessed the kill of a fox.
I was never against fox hunting until I saw a "kill" it is barbaric, bloodthursty and most definately not a quick or humane way to despatch an animal.
The ban should NEVER be allowed to be lifted.

By blacksteff0 at 19:37 on 03/12/10
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An interesting post from FunnyFarmer. Maybe they have far more insight than the townies. I like the idea of the huntsmen tearing up and down the streets of London, horses jumping over back garden fences, posh totties on horseback getting tangled up with lines of washing and hounds going absolutely everywhere. I'm suprised they haven't made a film about it.

By FlatStanley at 15:38 on 03/12/10
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Before I moved here to the countryside, I would have vehemently opposed the idea of killing any animal, for "sport" or otherwise. However, after living here on my smallholding for the last 30 years, where incidentally all animals and birds die of old age or are humanely destroyed if in pain, my views have changed and I understand more fully the whole picture of life in the real world. I once found a mangy fox hiding in my barn virtually too ill to survive. Hunting with hounds would have meant that he probably would have been dispatched quickly and humanely instead of dying slowly and miserably. The hunts ensure that a healthy fox population survives. The weak and ill animals are the first to be caught. Too many foxes around also means there is not enough food around for them all, a fact not appreciated by my rescued chickens and ducks! The majority of people who hunt are animal lovers. They don't go hunting for the kill but for the social aspect and to exercise and train their horses. The foxes would be culled whether they were there or not. Why is this so wrong?

By Funnyfarmer at 12:34 on 02/12/10
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I don't think the ban should be lifted, however something does need to be done about the fox population - not in the countryside where the ban would be lifted, but in the cities and towns. After the awful news of the twins attacked by an urban fox and the Conservatives coming into power it was only a matter of time before the fox hunting ban was questioned.

By Char_C at 16:51 on 28/06/10
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My (now adult) daughter loves riding - especially across country when she gets the chance. She is vehemently opposed to foxhunting, and so is everybody we know. It's strange that anyone can get pleasure out of killing any wild animal, however much of a "nuisance" it is.
You can no longer pretend that animals have no feeling. They have enough problems living wild without humans adding to them.
It was not long ago that respectable people had 'fun' killing tigers and elephants.

By StuartMorris at 21:23 on 20/05/10
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