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| Support 'growing' to end hunt ban | Support 'growing' to end hunt ban |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Support is growing for the ban on hunting with dogs to be scrapped, shadow justice minister Edward Garnier has told the BBC. | Support is growing for the ban on hunting with dogs to be scrapped, shadow justice minister Edward Garnier has told the BBC. |
| The Countryside Alliance member said most people at the moment were not interested in hunting. | The Countryside Alliance member said most people at the moment were not interested in hunting. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has promised MPs a free vote on the issue if his party wins the next election. | Conservative leader David Cameron has promised MPs a free vote on the issue if his party wins the next election. |
| The League Against Cruel Sports says to back a repeal would show the Tories to be the "nasty party" on animal welfare. | The League Against Cruel Sports says to back a repeal would show the Tories to be the "nasty party" on animal welfare. |
| Hunting foxes with dogs was banned in 2005, although dogs can follow a scent or flush out a fox so long as they do not kill it. | Hunting foxes with dogs was banned in 2005, although dogs can follow a scent or flush out a fox so long as they do not kill it. |
| With the Conservatives ahead in the polls, hunt supporters say repeal is now a "real possibility" after the next general election, likely to be held in spring 2010. | With the Conservatives ahead in the polls, hunt supporters say repeal is now a "real possibility" after the next general election, likely to be held in spring 2010. |
| Despite loud protestations from the hunting lobby, there is no doubt the Act is working League Against Cruel Sports | Despite loud protestations from the hunting lobby, there is no doubt the Act is working League Against Cruel Sports |
| Countryside Alliance campaigners are to target 140 anti-hunting MPs in marginal seats during the election campaign. | Countryside Alliance campaigners are to target 140 anti-hunting MPs in marginal seats during the election campaign. |
| Mr Garnier, who chairs its repeal committee, said: "Most people at the moment are not interested in hunting, they're interested in the economy. | Mr Garnier, who chairs its repeal committee, said: "Most people at the moment are not interested in hunting, they're interested in the economy. |
| "But I'm finding there is a gathering sense of support for this repeal." | "But I'm finding there is a gathering sense of support for this repeal." |
| However, the League Against Cruel Sports claims that 75% of the public - including 59% of Conservative voters - support the ban. | However, the League Against Cruel Sports claims that 75% of the public - including 59% of Conservative voters - support the ban. |
| It says on its website: "Despite loud protestations from the hunting lobby, there is no doubt the Act is working, with 68 prosecutions to date and a number pending." | It says on its website: "Despite loud protestations from the hunting lobby, there is no doubt the Act is working, with 68 prosecutions to date and a number pending." |
| A total of 158 MPs have signed a Commons motion supporting the ban and calling on the government to ensure it is enforced consistently. | A total of 158 MPs have signed a Commons motion supporting the ban and calling on the government to ensure it is enforced consistently. |
| Controversial | Controversial |
| HAVE YOUR SAYA pathetic form of amusement, but certainly no more cruel than nature, deer stalking or the livestock industry.DaMuttzNutz, Malvern Send us your comments | |
| The ban has remained controversial since its introduction and, in February, the alliance celebrated a High Court ruling which it said would make it harder to prosecute huntsmen. | The ban has remained controversial since its introduction and, in February, the alliance celebrated a High Court ruling which it said would make it harder to prosecute huntsmen. |
| Judges ruled that the law banning hunting did not include "searching" for wild animals to flush them out. | Judges ruled that the law banning hunting did not include "searching" for wild animals to flush them out. |
| They also rejected the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) argument that the hunter should prove his actions were covered by exemptions to the law. | They also rejected the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) argument that the hunter should prove his actions were covered by exemptions to the law. |
| The DPP had been appealing against a decision to overturn the conviction of Tony Wright, a huntsman with the Exmoor Foxhounds who was the first man prosecuted for hunting foxes. | The DPP had been appealing against a decision to overturn the conviction of Tony Wright, a huntsman with the Exmoor Foxhounds who was the first man prosecuted for hunting foxes. |
| He had argued he had acted to ensure compliance with the law and had been trying to prevent damage to livestock, which meant his actions were exempt from the ban. | He had argued he had acted to ensure compliance with the law and had been trying to prevent damage to livestock, which meant his actions were exempt from the ban. |