'As bad as the foot-and-mouth crisis'

Sep 15 2004 By The Journal

Page 2: Wavering MPs agree to compromise deal

Hunting with dogs looks set to be banned in less than two years after the Government made a last-minute deal to win over wavering Labour MPs.

Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael will today recommend banning the blood sport by summer 2006 in a bid to prevent the start of another hunting season - and secure the Hunting Bill in the Commons later today.

It had been feared anti-hunt MPs would try to force through a ban with almost immediate effect following concern over the Government's attempt to delay the measure for at least two years.

However after negotiations with senior backbenchers a compromise deal was struck in the late yesterday, ensuring a ban could come into force by July 31, 2006 - four months earlier than expected. The subtle shift in position means hunters will be unable to hold stag hunts or take part in cubbing just before the main hunting season was due to begin in November.

Blaydon's John McWilliam said he had been prepared to back calls for an immediate ban saying the issue had already taken too long to deal with.

"We are all desperate to avoid any more delay because what we don't want is to enter another hunting season."

He is expected to vote for the compromise motion, along with Newcastle's Jim Cousins who warned the manifesto pledge now had to be dealt with.

"This is a long-standing political pledge which must be honoured and I'm hoping it will be honoured by the end of today, in part due to this amendment.

"It is reasonable to give people some period of time because clearly everyone wants to give the hunts time to make proper arrangements for their staff and animals and for them to consider what may be the alternatives to hunting with dogs."

MPs will go through the entire proceedings of the Hunting Bill in one day before it is passed on to the Lords again where the Parliament Act will be invoked by Speaker Michael Martin.

The compromise motion does mean the ban could be part of the general election campaign, expected next spring, but a government source has argued it is a "win-win" situation.

The source said: "If the Lords object, the momentum for further (Lords) reform will become unstoppable. If they allow the Bill and the timetable through, the will of the Commons will have prevailed."

Countryside Alliance have warned a delay will not lessen the anger or threat of civil disobedience, with a spokesman telling The Journal: "In general terms it does not matter what they do with it.

"It's a bad law and is a breach of human rights."

The pro-hunting lobby is today demonstrating on Parliament in protest at the debate with hundreds expected to travel from the North-East.

Alan Beith, MP for Berwick, said he would oppose a ban as it did not address concerns about "animal welfare".

However he also hit out at attempts to rush the legislation through in one day saying previous debates had centred on licensing the sport, and not banning it.

* Jockeys staged a friendly protest at the prospect of a foxhunting ban by walking down the course in front of the stands holding banners after the third race at Thirsk Racecouse yesterday.

They were joined by racecourse officials, stewards, trainers and racegoers .

Kevin Darley, who organised the demonstration, said: "We just want to show our support for the Countryside Alliance. All equestrian sports have roots in hunting and we don't want to see it go."

Ordinary people whose lives will be affected

The kennel owner

While the financial issue may be one area of concern for many, for kennel owner Sharon Spencer-Mullins, raising puppies for the pack is a labour of love that will undoubtedly be lost if a ban is enforced.

For 15 years she has taken in hounds at Kearsley Farm Kennels, at Ingoe near Matfen, fed them, raised them and trained them to be fit for their hunting days ahead.

"I do it to support the hunts," said Mrs Spencer-Mullins, 44.

"I don't charge, so there is no prospect of me losing out financially from a ban.

"What it will mean is a death sentence for these wonderful hounds.

"We say we are a nation of animal-lovers, but this proves otherwise. While hunting is only responsible for a fraction of the foxes killed in Britain each year, countless thousands of hounds will have to be destroyed in response to this legislation.

"They may be very submissive to humans, but the pack hounds are impossible to keep as pets. There's not a drop of domesticated blood in them whatsoever. They are bred for one purpose only - hunting.

"I would challenge anyone in the anti-hunt brigade to take one of these hounds into their home and see what happens." And she added: "As far as the countryside and its fortunes are concerned, any hunting ban will be kinsman to the foot- and-mouth outbreak. It will be devastating."

The saddler

From his workshop in Tynedale, saddler John Duddy fits tack and harness to horses covering at least four hunts.

For the 42-year-old craftsman - originally from Winlaton - the hunting season begins this week, and runs until next April. It provides the staple of his winter trade, when many pleasure riders tend to stable their mounts.

When a ban comes into effect Mr Duddy says he will have to find around 60pc of his income from elsewhere. Exactly where, he doesn't yet know.

"I see a similar situation to the foot- and-mouth crisis," said Mr Duddy, whose childhood love of horses led him to run the Northumbrian Saddlery at Bridge End, Hexham, for the last 25 years.

"When horse people are put out of the game, things get very difficult for businesses like mine.

"This is first and foremost my job which will be affected. I am neither 100pc for or against hunting, but I have had the benefit of travelling throughout the countryside in my trade, fitting and repairing saddles. I have seen how the countryside is managed, and I respect it.

"I keep out of politics, and I think politics should keep out of my business."

The vet

Hexham-based Roger Scott says a ban will leave many businesses facing uncertainty, especially those dealing heavily with the equine industry.

Horses are so important to his practice, which stretches from the Tyneside coast across to Cumbria and north to the Scottish border, that he decided to set up a dedicated surgical unit especially for them.

The big question facing most in his position, he says, is whether hunters will remain in the saddle if the Hunting Bill goes through and their pursuit is outlawed.

"It all hinges on whether a ban will bring an end to the people who currently keep horses for hunting," said Mr Scott.

"It would probably have a small effect on this practice, and those other vets across the region who also look after horses.

"What is uncertain is whether those who have hunting horses will continue to ride them for non-hunting activities.

"Those who are involved in hunting are very passionate about it."

End in sight to ban saga

MPs will today end one of the longest-running sagas of parliamentary history - hunting with dogs.

It is an issue that has bedeviled Labour since they pledged to ban the blood sport in 1997 and one that has been repeatedly called for by government backbenchers for the past seven years.

It began, though, in 1949 when two MPs tried to restrict and ban the hunting with dogs, much to the displeasure of opposition parties. It made, a committee of MPs concluded: "a very important contribution to the control of foxes".

Since then the topic of fox hunting has resurfaced on an almost annual basis with MPs finally voting for an outright ban in 2001 by a majority of 179.

The bid to have ban hunting with dogs was reintroduced during the 2003 parliamentary session - and should come to a final end next month with the Parliament Act.