National Trust to debate policing hunts
ANIMAL rights campaigners have forced the National Trust to debate whether they should effectively play a role in policing hunts which operate on their property.
The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has moved a resolution to be put to the trust's annual meeting in November calling for the organisation to publish the dates and times when hunts will take place on its estates.
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Such a move would allow hunt monitors to track the activities of hunters more easily – but the trust's board of trustees has recommended it is rejected when it goes to a members' vote on November 7.
Yesterday, LACS chief executive Douglas Batchelor insisted the organisation had video footage which indicated hunts were operating illegally on National Trust properties, including some in Devon and Cornwall. He said he was unable to elaborate, because the evidence had been passed on to police. But he said: "We have undertaken a lot of monitoring on National Trust properties in the Westcountry since the hunting ban was passed, and some of our footage certainly looks very suspicious."
He said he was "not surprised" that the organisation's trustees had recommended rejection of the motion, and accused the charity of largely supporting hunting.
He added: "We think it's ridiculous that an organisation that can administer a membership of well over a million people would find it difficult to collate the times and locations of when around 150 hunts will operate on their land."
Andrew Mclaughlin, spokesman for the National Trust, said the reason for the rejection advice was that it did not have the resources to publish the times and locations of every sport which took place on its land. He added: "The resolution doesn't reference hunting specifically – it's about all sporting activities.
"As an organisation, we don't have any view on hunting whatsoever. We aren't political in any way."
He said any illegal activity would be a matter for the police and the courts, but said the trust would co-operate with officers in any investigations.
Peter Nixon, the trust's director of conservation, said: "People enjoy a vast range of activities on National Trust land each year and with so many events taking place on National Trust land, it is not practical to co-ordinate and publish the detail of all of this information, especially where the day to day details are administered by other organisations.
"Staff at National Trust properties will always be happy to provide visitors with more information about planned activities and put them directly in touch the organisers where necessary."
Alison Hawes, South West director for the Countryside Alliance, said the resolution had "next to no hope" of being voted through, after refusal was recommended. She added: "We aren't the slightest bit worried about it. It's not going to happen unless the board goes against what they have said in their response, which is highly unlikely.
"LACS has a go at the National Trust every year – they have their agenda, and they just want to keep this issue in the news."
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by Bog Fox, New Forest
Thursday, September 24 2009, 1:02PM
“Douglas Batchelor insisted the organisation had video footage which indicated hunts were operating illegally.... He said he was unable to elaborate, and some of our footage certainly looks very suspicious."
If old Dougy actually had footage of hunts acting illegally, he would be battering down the local police front door! He hasn't got any as hunts are trailhunting and using the LEGAL exemptions. Douglas is unable to elaborate as he doesn't want to lie any more than he has too. Douglas says the footage looks "suspicious". is that because its been edited, or because he is a biased anti-hunt chap that is full of countryside manure!”
by Bog Fox, New Forest
Thursday, September 24 2009, 12:52PM
“We publish our meet list and we get violent sabs ever weekend at the moment. Its a no brainer isn't it. Keep the peace by not publishing meet times and locations!”
by Angela, Eastbourne
Thursday, September 24 2009, 12:12PM
“Since the National Trust is a charity supported by donations from the public, if the NT allows hunts to operate on its lands it should publish details of those hunts so that they can be monitored to ensure they operate within the law.”
by Allan, Brasi
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 6:05PM
“Comments too heavy for me but a good read as always. If you dont eat it,dont kill it !However living in Spain 2005 Six people were arrested and charged with organizing the hunting of tigers and wolves,which they were purchasing from zoos and circus,s. It had been going on for a while and only came to light when two dead tigers were found dead in a van in the Extremadura region of Spain. This does show that man possess,s the need to hunt,at any extreme.I for one would like to see a ban on hunting.”
by Jerry Jones, Dorset
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 3:39PM
“You lie down with dogs you pick up fleas Charlie boy,so start scratching. Tally Ho Charlie Boy.”
by Fiona, Helston
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 3:07PM
“Thanks for your assumption that I am 'Pro-hunting' Vincent but you are sorely mistaken. I am an equestrian but I do not condone hunting, see we all make 'stupid comments'!”
by Steve, PZ
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 2:41PM
“Animal rights groups have an important job. They insure farmers are caring for their livestock, Laboratories testing on animals are acting within guide lines. But when they get carried away with side issues like fox hunting it devalues all the other good work they do and divides peoples opinions about the group.
They have no idea of how to work for the greater good. While they are embroiled in fox hunting thousands of other animals needed attention are going unchecked.”
by tegen, Bodmin
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 1:53PM
“I totally agree with Vincent and
Fee - before you call people uneducated perhaps you should learn to spell privileged! Fox hunting is not a "sport" - surely a sport is between two relatively evenly matched teams not a large bunch of people on horseback together with a pack of hounds chasing one small mammal. When the fox is allowed to have a "team" of it's own - preferably armed with similar resources - I'll accept it's a sport! And this is nothing to do with class its to do with cruelty - you don't see "antis" at polo matches.”
by Vincent Smith, Pendeen
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 1:41PM
“It is irrelevant if "national trust land was donated by people who hunted themselves." Hunting with hounds is BANNED.
As for the stupid class war comment this is always mentioned by hunters not those opposed to it.Hare coursilng is banned as well as fox hunting.Hare coursing was never carried out by the upper classes al;ways the lower and working.Cruelty is wrong and it doesn't matter who is responsible.”
by Giles bradshaw, Rose Ash
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 1:30PM
“If LACS have video that shows hunts breaking the law they could get them prosecuted. They can't because they don't.”