Monday, October 14, 2013
The thin end of the hunting wedge
The Times reports today that the UK Government are considering a change to the ban on hunting with hounds. They say that the change backed by farmers and some MPs, would allow the use of a full pack of hounds to flush out foxes from their dens. Farmers are currently limited to the use of two hounds.
Although DEFRA say that no change to the law is imminent, it is possible that Ministers may be seduced into agreeing to this idea as a way of appeasing the agricultural lobby. We have already seen how badly such appeasement can turn out over the badger cull fiasco.
My concern is that this would be the thin end of the wedge. Once you are using full packs of hounds to flush out foxes then it is only a short step towards rescinding the ban altogether. Maybe that is the main motivation behind this suggestion.
Although DEFRA say that no change to the law is imminent, it is possible that Ministers may be seduced into agreeing to this idea as a way of appeasing the agricultural lobby. We have already seen how badly such appeasement can turn out over the badger cull fiasco.
My concern is that this would be the thin end of the wedge. Once you are using full packs of hounds to flush out foxes then it is only a short step towards rescinding the ban altogether. Maybe that is the main motivation behind this suggestion.
