Shropshire MP Owen Paterson calls for end to hunting ban
Shropshire MP and former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has called for the ban on hunting to be repealed.
On the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the Hunting Act, Mr Paterson, who represents North Shropshire, said the law was a badly-drawn piece of legislation which he hoped would be lifted in future.
"It's a complete muddle, that has been driven more by class warfare than animal welfare," he said.
"Since the Act came into force, it has been widely documented that there has been a significant increase in the shooting of foxes, which have died in great misery."
He added: "I sat on the committees when the legislation was drawn up, and there was a lot of ignorance about.
"I made a clear commitment to repealing the ban, and I would very much hope and expect that we will do that as soon as we can."
