Hopes fade for early end to hunting ban

Hunt supporters were yesterday dealt the latest blow in attempts to overturn the controversial ban on the countryside sport after Environment Secretary Owen Paterson signalled there is no imminent prospect of a repeal of the law.

The move threatened to put the Conservative leadership at odds once again with many of its traditionalist supporters who are still smarting over the decision to legislate for same-sex marriages.

But Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps insisted Ministers were simply being pragmatic in the face of the parliamentary arithmetic, with strong opposition among Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs to ending the hunting ban as well as some Tories.

He said: “The point about bringing things in front of Parliament is there is precious little point if you think you are not going to win the votes or that Parliament isn’t going to change the law. In one case, there is precious little chance that Parliament will change the law. In the other case (of gay marriage), there is every chance.”

Mr Paterson appeared to rule out bringing the issue of the hunting ban before the House of Commons next year as an estimated 300 Boxing Day meets were held yesterday on the busiest day of the season. Drag hunting – following an artificial trail of fox scent - has had to be employed since the ban on hunting with dogs was passed under Labour in 2005. Campaigners have claimed enforcing the restriction wastes police time, and also suggested some officers turn a blind eye to breaches of the law.

But Mr Paterson, a keen supporter of country sports including hunting, said: “There’s only a point having a vote if you’re going to win. At the moment, it would not be my proposal to bring forward a vote we were going to lose.”

He added: “It is our clear intention to have a free vote, but we need to choose an appropriate moment.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has been accused of dragging his heels over acting on the coalition Government’s agreement promise of a free vote on overturning the ban. Many Conservatives would support repealing the legislation, but most Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs remain in favour of the ban. Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh was adamant there is little public support for ending the ban.

The Labour MP for Wakefield said: “Most people back Labour’s ban on hunting wild animals with dogs and accept there is no place for animal cruelty in a civilised society. People are worried about their incomes falling, prices rising and losing their jobs, yet this out of touch Tory-led Government wants to bring back hunting.”

The Countryside Alliance’s executive chairman, Sir Barney White-Spunner, claimed the ban would eventually be lifted, although he accepted it is not an immediate priority for the Government.

He said: “We know when the act came in that it took a huge amount of parliamentary time, more time than debates over Iraq and we know that actually if you are going to go for some form of repeal then it would probably take another huge amount of time at a time when the Government and parliament has got other priorities. I think people are absolutely sensible and mature about that but I am absolutely confident the Act will be repealed.”

Comment: Page 12.