War of words over Boxing Day hunt meet

A WAR of words has erupted over a Boxing Day hunt after countryside campaigners accused TV naturalist Chris Packham of inciting division and spreading misinformation.

- LEWIS CLARKE

The clash comes in the wake of a controversial Tiverton Town Council vote to declare the annual meet of the Tiverton Foxhounds “not welcome” in the town a symbolic gesture widely seen as a blow to hunting supporters, even though the event is still expected to go ahead on Friday, December 26.

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) and Countryside Alliance have now publicly hit back, defending trail hunting as legal, regulated and vital for rural life.

A BHSA spokesperson said: “Chris Packham is once again using language that borders on extremism and risks inciting hatred against rural communities. As he knows very well, fox hunting was banned 20 years ago. Trail hunting is a lawful and responsible activity that uses a natural scent, laid artificially, and has no impact on wildlife.