Time to end hunting ban
THE HUNTING season launched in buoyant mood at the weekend, with many supporters hoping it would be the last such occasion before a repeal of the ban.
They said support was higher than ever, with many setting out with strong followings on horseback and on foot on Saturday.
The atmosphere was positive, with campaigners hoping for a change in government next year and an end to the controversial ban.
The Hunting Act became law in 2005 and since then, hunts have been forced to use variations such as trail hunting, where a scent is laid for the hounds to follow, to avoid hunting foxes.
Alison Hawes, regional director of the Countryside Alliance, rode out with the East Devon Hunt on Saturday.
She said: "People are feeling very upbeat. We know we're going to have a General Election next year and that it's likely to mean a change of government.
"The Conservatives have promised a free vote in Government time, which is almost as good as saying they will repeal the ban. People think this could be the last season before the ban is overturned."
Michael Moore, senior joint master of the East Devon Hunt, and Gerrard Knowle, owner of Rockbeare Manor, addressed the crowd before the hunt got under way.
Mr Knowle said: "There has never ever in the history of hunting been a worse time to be a master of the hunt. Roll on the day when we can hunt properly again. So far, the hunting world has managed to keep its nose clean and battled to survive.
"We need to make sure we get rid of this wretched ban and the only way we can do it is to get rid of this Government and a ban that should never have been brought in in the first place."
Gill Sumersgill, secretary of the Dulverton Farmers Hunt, said supporters had a "splendid day out" on Saturday.
She added: "It was one to remember. Everybody is saying the Conservatives will get in and put on a free vote in parliamentary time. You can't say anything for certain, but we're keeping fingers crossed."
Janet Ackner, of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, which has been hunting since August, said the group was "very hopeful".
She added: "There's huge support and everyone's very hopeful, but you just can't predict the future. We don't know for sure that the ban will be repealed or how long that could take."
Louise Robertson, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said the organisation did not believe the ban would be overturned. "Our polls consistently show that the majority of people support the ban. They don't want to turn the clocks back to cruelty."
But Countryside Alliance chief executive Simon Hart said: "David Cameron has consistently repeated the commitment to a free vote on a Government Bill in Government time to repeal the Hunting Act and almost all Conservative MPs and candidates in marginal seats support it.
"Meanwhile, increasing numbers of Labour and Lib-Dem MPs accept the Hunting Act has failed.
"That is why this season could be the last season under the ban."
18 Comments
View all
by Giles Bradshaw, Rose Ash
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 1:28AM
“Simon Hacker your argument is nonsense. The WMN has run stories solely about LACS polls in the past.
This one is looking at it from the hunts perspective.
One has to look at things in the round.”
by Campaign For Decency, UK
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 9:29PM
“Please everyone who wants to uphold the hunting ban, go to this website: www.campaignfordecency.org.uk and get your name on the R.O.A.R. (Register Online Against Repeal) .
This is an 'all party' UK register of everyone who does NOT want to see a return to cruelty. Lets get some names behind the polls!”
by NORMAN BRYANT, west sussex
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 5:07PM
“The LACS would say that more people want a ban to stay, it probably polled it's own members, the majority of people have more to worry about than a ban on hunting, the LACS always quote the ripping to bits of a live animal which is rubbish as the fox is long dead before any ripping takes place, it is the same for a beef animal that is long dead before it is cut to bits with big knives.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 1:29PM
“Those who support hunting should find better things to do with their time, instead of killing our native wildlife for the pleasure of it. Anon, I would find something better to do with your time than supporting hunting. It's time to evolve/develop from a hunting neanderthal to a modern man of the 21st Century. Alter your views whilst you still can. Be a REAL human being Anon. Hunting is a pastime best forgotten. Best Freethinker”
by Simon Hacker, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:16PM
“The Western Morning News is offering its readers nothing more than a discredit to fair and balanced journalism. The headline says it all. One expects nationals to have a political mandate but provincial papers have at least a modicum of duty to reflect the balance of local opinion. This clearly isn't happening here, with no more than two token sentences seeking to articulate the other - the MAJORITY - view. Were the WMN to bother sounding out views within its own readership it would find, as within any primarily rural area, that the belief that hunting with hounds discredits humanity is deeper than ever. We have legislation to punish murderers, murderers still murder - so do we remove that legislation? This paper's best defence is probably that, given the constraints on reporting resources, it's easier to cut and paste Countryside Alliance press feeds, but it's a shortcut to alienating what readers remain if all it offers is this biased dross.”
by Anon, Devon
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 5:35AM
“Freethinker
You all ready have!”
by James Christian, Lydford
Monday, November 02 2009, 8:48PM
“A sorry pastime for halfwit wannabe aristocrats that no doubt aspire to drive Range Rovers or a farmhouse 'on the moor'. How terribly jolly-what! I think time well spent would be to hunt this sad bunch of social rapists and to celebrate afterwards with a brandy or two. So c'mon everybody, join the new game and hunt yuppies. Yeeeeeha. lol x”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, November 02 2009, 6:38PM
“Ian, I don't give orders. I tell the truth. If you don't like the truth, well, that's your problem. Best Freethinker”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, November 02 2009, 6:21PM
“I wouldn't stoop that low Anon. You clearly have. Says alot about those who support hunting. Enough said Freethinker”
by Anon, Devon
Monday, November 02 2009, 5:30PM
“Freethinker
It IS a valid point & I note that you could not address it........”