Minister steps up hunting campaign
Saturday 26th December 2009, 10:26AM GMT.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was kicking off a campaign to support the fox hunting ban today amid fears from supporters of the legislation that a Tory government would scrap it.
In a sign of how concerned the anti-hunting lobby is about the future of the ban, Mr Benn will spearhead an awareness-raising drive about the Conservatives’ plans.
The campaign, urging people to demonstrate their support at www.backthe ban.com, comes as opponents of the 2004 anti-hunt law stepped up protests on their traditional Boxing Day outings today.
It will be seen as another attempt by Labour to stress the dividing lines between themselves and the Tories ahead of the election.
Mr Benn said: “For David Cameron, getting the Act repealed is a priority.
“He used to hunt foxes; he talked about fox hunting in his first ever speech to Parliament; and he has said that if he becomes Prime Minister he will get rid of the fox hunting ban.
“But, like the vast majority of people, I think the barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces shouldn’t return to our countryside.”
Hunts in Shropshire were taking place as normal today, despite fears about the weather.
The biggest crowd was expected in Ludlow where several hundred enthusiasts were set to gather.
Shropshire hunting spokeswoman Clare Rowson said the Boxing Day meetings were the highlights of the hunting calendar.
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