Jim Barrington

The truth about the fox hunting ban

During my years at the League Against Cruel Sports, the one single message we impressed upon people at every opportunity was that a ban on hunting with dogs was popular, simple and inexpensive. And animals, of course, would be saved from a cruel death.

This belief was encouraged by a Tony Benn quote, which refers to everyone suddenly being on the winning side after any social change: ‘The change happens and you can’t find anyone that doesn’t claim to have been fighting for it with you.’

It was echoed shortly after I had left the LACS (having become disillusioned with the campaign and doubtful that any genuine animal welfare benefit would be gained by a ban on the use of scenting hounds). A former colleague was quoted as saying: ‘Within a couple of months [the discussion] would all be over and everyone would wonder what all the fuss was about.’

Following the passing of the Hunting Act in 2004, it didn’t take long for the same official to have had a change of heart, however. Post Hunting Act, he said in a national newspaper interview that foxes ‘are being shot by farmers, caught in snares and still hunted, despite the ban. I think it’s had virtually no effect.’

It’s worth examining the original message that was so eagerly and naively accepted by numerous politicians: that a ban would be popular, simple, and inexpensive.

Relying on public opinion polls to make law, especially on a subject that few people know much about (and affects even fewer) is not good politics. Indeed, it almost negates the need for Members of Parliament. Hunting with hounds does not exist in isolation and other methods of control will fill the vacuum, yet these points are never included in polls. Add in other questions – ones that imply a repeal of the Hunting Act would legalise dog-fighting and badger baiting – and people who would like to strengthen the current law get the answers that they want.

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