Hunting With Dogs

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Informer on Tue 15th Oct 2002

I normally receive a large amount of letters in my mail bag on this important topic, some arguing in favour of fox hunting but most are against it.

I have given a lot of thought to both sides' arguments, and have decided that fox hunting should indeed be banned.

I share the view of the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups that hunting is "intrinsically cruel" and that regulation, whether based on a voluntary system or licensing, would simply allow cruelty to continue.

I do not feel that either self or independent regulations are appropriate responses to what amounts to an intrinsically cruel practice.

As you will know, the House of Lords did not support this option, as chosen by the majority of the Commons, and while the Bill has been returned to the MPs, it is likely that the issue will be considered again either later this year or early next year.

In January of last year, following an inquiry by Lord Burns on what the consequences of a ban on hunting might be, the Government introduced its own Bill (Lord Burns, incidentally, demolished the argument that stopping hunting would do great damage to the rural economy).

People in favour of hunting suggested that it could continue with hunters regulating the way it was carried out, or with licensing from an outside organisation.

However, I share the view of the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups that both ideas of regulation would simply allow what amounts to sheer cruelty to continue.

I voted again for a complete ban on hunting along with 373 other MPs. This time the decision was rejected by the House of Lords and the Bill will now be returned to the MPs in the House of Commons to consider again.

I fear the "middle way" of hunting registration will satisfy no-one, but I have the impression that Tony Blair supports it.

I shall support a ban when the matter is put to a vote.