If trail hunting is banned, ask yourself, 'What's next'?

THE countryside - or at least parts of it - are gearing up for a battle with the Labour Government as a manifesto promise, to ban trail hunting, comes under close scrutiny, with legislation likely to follow.

- Philip Bowern

Whether or not this is a cynical ploy to throw some red meat to rebellious left-leaning Labour back-benchers or a principled approach to animal welfare and public safety will depend on your point of view.

For those affected, the hunters for whom riding to hounds is a big part of life, the potential change in the law is a very big deal. Many are already gearing up to protest.

The Hunting Act of 2004 was drafted to preserve the tradition of riding to hounds, albeit without the purpose of controlling wild mammals.

While many disagreed with the premise that foxhunting or stag hunting was “cruel”, the new law did at least ensure that hunting, with all that it brings to many rural communities, could continue.