Hoey: Scrap 'failed' hunting ban
A LABOUR MP has called for the "immediate repeal" of the controversial hunting act by whoever wins the General Election.
Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, argues the festive hunts that met in Westcountry towns and villages prove the law, introduced five years ago, has "failed".
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Festive hunt meets show law has 'failed', says Kate Hoey
She dismissed the idea that the Act has been popular, easy to enforce and improved animal welfare, as had been argued by Labour ministers.
She said: "How did a law that was being prepared for literally decades, that had the benefit of almost £30 million of animal welfare money and which consumed 700 hours of Parliamentary time, get it so wrong?
"I believe that all laws should start with a principle and the simple answer is that there was no principle in this Bill. To seek to improve the welfare of wildlife is right, but to target one method of control on the basis of either prejudice or ignorance and at the same time ignore the possible detrimental consequences is not only deplorable, but also doomed to disaster.
"That is what has happened to the Hunting Act."
Ms Hoey, who is also chairman of the Countryside Alliance, has been long been outspoken in defending fox hunting, much to the irritation of many Labour party colleagues.
She is credited with telling the Daily Mail: "A ban on hunting is not going to help us save a [single] fox. In fact, there will be very few foxes left in the country if hunting is abolished."
She said when the law was being drawn up, Labour MPs had "pre-conceived ideas about hunting" and there was resistance to examining the process of hunting. She also questioned the "twisted sense of logic" that permits dogs to kill rabbits and rats but not hares and mice.
"No wonder Defra officials, shortly after the law came into force, changed their minds four times when trying to clarify a particular use of dogs and now state that it all comes down to intention – a word that does not appear in the Hunting Act," she said.
Ms Hoey, who was the first woman sports minister, also argued the vast majority of people who have been convicted under the Hunting Act could probably have been prosecuted under previously existing laws.
She also pointed out limited scientific evidence indicates no saving of lives and an increase in suffering.
She went on: "That is why all genuine supporters of our wildlife, both hunter and non-hunter alike, should demand the immediate repeal of this bad law by whichever party wins the General Election."
She said it was a "huge regret to me" that a Labour government has not "shown as much energy and commitment on rural affordable housing, local services and rural business as they did on hunting".
She said: "Perhaps, if they had done so, the countryside would be a wealthier, healthier and happier place."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, January 04 2010, 8:31PM
“:| A fox killing squirrel.
After 3 w's
.youtube.com/watch?v=Oasbn6NsVlA”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, January 04 2010, 8:14PM
“:) Happy New Year Editor! You can tell the season of goodwill is over can't you!
THE FINAL DECISION
by Charles Henry
:( Should I leave or should I stay,
Or shall I just runaway?
Will anyone notice if I¿m not here?
Will my future become any more clear?
When the papers are left in the door,
Will the milkman knock or just leave some more?
If the telephone rings and it¿s not answered,
Will the caller check to find out why?
If I miss my check up at the Doctor¿s surgery,
Will they just assume I¿ve just passed them by?
When I don¿t renew my library book,
Will they check to see which one I took?
When they find it was ¿The last Goodbye¿,
Will they then write to me to enquire why?
Instead of hauling me ¿across the coals¿,
Will they just write it off, because I¿m so old?
If the Bailiffs call seeking compensation,
And they find my curtains tightly drawn.
Will they ring my bell then break down my door,
Expecting to find my goods to pawn?
My Mother¿s rings are in my safe,
My Father¿s medals are in the bookcase.
Our photo albums are all under the stairs,
They¿ll probably want my dining chairs !
This would really be, a sorry day.
:) I¿ve just decided, . . I think I¿ll stay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”
by Theo H, Lifton
Monday, January 04 2010, 7:10PM
“In rural situations, the numbers of foxes is determined by the prey and scavenge available. (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust - previously known as the Game Conservancy Trust).
An excellent example of this was in an article in the Shooting Times. The author noted that the usual density of foxes in the countryside was between one and four per square mile. Yet some gamekeepers were reporting killing much greater numbers per square mile - even up to a rate of 40 per square mile. It is painting the Forth Bridge stuff, shooting foxes.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, January 04 2010, 7:06PM
“@ Inquistive, UK
Dogs have a natural instinct to hunt, but humans through time have been able to change instincts somewhat by selectively breeding dogs for man's hunting needs. Man has interfered with the dogs natural ability as a predator. Indoing so, has created a more predatory animal for hunting purposes. Because of man's continual interference with the dogs instincts, we don't always know whether an action is instinctual or learned. It's probably safe to say that the dogs natural instinct is it's natural foundation, but we add to it by treating our dogs learned routines. Now, Charles. . .I support local organic farmers 100%. What I don't support is the need to persecute our wild mammals. Freethinker”
by TimV, Pz
Monday, January 04 2010, 6:50PM
“It's a well known phenomenon that when humans want to kill their own kind or other species, they first reclassify them as "vermin". It helps cope with the conscience I suppose but does nothing for the logic or ethics.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, January 04 2010, 6:22PM
“:| Start respecting farm animals and farmers Justin. . You are all getting totally obsessed by the amount of farm stock you need to kill, and the number of lives of country folk you need to destroy to get your fix.”
by Inquisitive, UK
Monday, January 04 2010, 6:17PM
“Freethinker, the most natural thing for dogs to do is to hunt!
That is why they have such a strong sense of smell!
Also, the most natural thing for dogs to do is be part of a pack. Are you suggesting that both these should be banned??”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, January 04 2010, 5:15PM
“Its time to start respecting the fox Charles. Improving husbandry on farms may reduce predation from the fox. As a mammal Charles, you should show real respect for such an incredible carnivore that has a birthright to live in the countryside more than you. The fox has incredible beauty. Let's just face it Charles, you just enjoy persecuting wild mammals. Says alot about your overall psychological nature. Freethinker”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, January 04 2010, 4:28PM
“:( No Justin, they are just horrid vermin that kill any poultry and lambs they find that are trying to enjoy a nice traditional country lifestyle.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, January 04 2010, 4:10PM
“Foxes are only vermin to those who wish to poison, trap and shot them. Freethinker”