HuntingThe Hunting Act 2004 came into force at midnight on 17th February 2005. Our relentless campaigning has guaranteed that the Hunting Act is now widely acknowledged to be bad law. It is no accident that many political commentators, Chief Constables, senior civil servants and a majority of the public have taken this view. The Countryside Alliance has worked tirelessly to expose the law for what it is: hard to interpret and enforce, illiberal, bad for animal welfare and a waste of police resources. Thanks to our determined efforts when working with hunts that have been targeted, there have been only a handful of successful convictions. However, it cannot be right that a large section of law-abiding citizens continue to live in constant fear of malicious prosecutions. In 2010 one hunt received 47 visits from animal rights activists armed with video cameras, aiming for prosecution. It is a terrible and vivid illustration of why things cannot ‘be left as they are’. Our campaigning has ensured that hunting remains firmly on the political agenda and the Coalition Agreement includes a commitment to a free vote in this Parliament. We need to remain vigilant in future and spot every opportunity to move our cause forward.
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 Fox hunting - "the countryside's best kept secret" - blogThursday, 20 October 2011 On Thursday 20th October musician Kate Holmes wrote a piece for the Huffington Post entitled "Fox hunting - the countryside's best kept secret". In the piece, Ms Holmes wrote that "the sport is certainly not relegated to history and seems to actually be thriving and growing amidst all the ideological conflict." Read moreHunting’s international appealWednesday, 19 October 2011 We hear from Michael Thompson of the Blencathra Foxhounds that since its commencement in 2006 the hunt’s website (www.blencathrafoxhounds.com) has attracted 8.5 million hits from at least 23 countries. Visitors to the site have been from as far away as Kazakhstan, Colombia and China. With the new season in prospect it is good to know that hunting has international support! Read moreCome Team Chasing!Wednesday, 12 October 2011 Dubbed the horse world’s ‘extreme sport’, team chasing certainly provides thrills and spills as teams of three or four horses and riders gallop and jump across country against the clock. But it is also a sport for all the family, and one in which young and old can compete on equal terms. Riders as young as 12 years old may take part, while one of the sport’s best known competitors is a sprightly 73! Read more Reason deserts hunting's opponentsMonday, 10 October 2011 The Hunting Office's Tim Bonner writes: The anti-hunting argument is at it weakest when the prejudice which drives most of its proponents is on show. During the extraordinary years when hunting seemed to inhabit a permanent slot on radio and television I was never happier than when debating with the more extreme elements of the animal rights movement. On one occasion I was up against a Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesman on the BBC Radio 5 breakfast show who could not contain his bile and let fly with the old ‘you’re all toffs’ line. Read more The CA in the Gloucestershire Echo on huntingThursday, 6 October 2011 Sara Rutherford, Countryside Alliance regional director for the Midlands, wrote about the Hunting Act for the Gloucestershire Echo in early October. Sara wrote: As the new season approaches I would remind readers of a comment the Prime Minister made earlier this year: "Everyone knows the Hunting Act isn't working." Mr Cameron joins politicians from all parties, the media, the police, judges, vets and senior civil servants in holding this view. Read more Zetland Huntsman rides to the rescueThursday, 6 October 2011 Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Alice Barnard writes: I was encouraged to read of how a Huntsman provided invaluable assistance to the Police recently. Zetland Huntsman David Jukes put his hunt-owned Land Rover at the disposal of the Police last week for a high speed chase across fields near East Layton in order to apprehend men wanted in connection with car offences. Read more Hunt events this autumnTuesday, 4 October 2011 Read on for a selection of events being put on by hunts across the country this autumn - if your hunt is arranging a kennel open day, team chase, supper, quiz or other event, please email details to news@countryside-alliance.org Read more Crawley & Horsham Hunting Act case -updateThursday, 29 September 2011 All four members of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt charged with Hunting Act offences pleaded not guilty to all charges. A hearing took place at Crawley Magistrates Court on Thursday 29th September. The case was adjourned until 10th November for a management hearing. Read moreA good laugh with the LeagueSaturday, 24 September 2011 A report comes back from the Countryside Alliance team in Liverpool at the Labour Party conference this week. It seems that the often-comedic League Against Cruel Sports have outdone themselves in the laughter stakes. LACS had advertised a 'Live comedy and film night' for Sunday evening of conference, with 'a major stand up comic' billed as appearing. Read more Seasonal hunting adviceThursday, 22 September 2011 Our sporting experts offer seasonal advice in our membership magazine, and you can also read them online. The Hunting Office’s Tim Bonner writes on hunting while angling legend Charles Jardine offers fishing tips and Shooting Campaign Manager David Taylor provides his advice on shooting. Read more |
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