Fox Hunting Ban passes first hurdle

[Vanhalen 0]

So its passed the first hurdle, being passed with a majority of 156 to agree the law to be passed today, if the final vote in 5 hours time is positive, then thats the end for Fox-Hunting in the UK, pretty weird to think it will actually be banned, after all the years of talking about banning it

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3656524.stm

 

 

Thousands of pro-hunters are protesting outside Parliament as MPs debate banning hunting with dogs in England and Wales.

Police estimate there are between 8,000 and 10,000 protesters but the organisers put it at 20,000.

 

If MPs back a ban, the Bill is due to pass through all of its House of Commons stages on Wednesday.

 

The little-used Parliament Act will be used to override peers opposition to a ban, which could be deferred to 2006.

 

Hare coursing would be banned three months after the Bill is passed.

 

All dates assume Commons votes in favour of ban and Lords votes against 

 

Pro-hunt supporters began gathering early on Wednesday for a mass protest organised by the Countryside Alliance outside Parliament.

 

Scotland Yard arrested two women at 0600 BST on suspicion of obstructing the highway after nine vehicles, believed to be horse boxes, were abandoned in Parliament Square.

 

Hundreds of police, including a number in riot gear, are on duty to stop protesters spilling out of the square. There have been scuffles between police and some protesters, with some missiles thrown.

 

Many of the protesters were wearing T-shirts picturing Tony Blair with devil horns and "I'll keep hunting" slogans.

 

'Not the end'

 

James Edwards, 20, from Exmoor, told BBC News Online: "We are trying to get through to the MPs not to let their personal feelings get in the way of the real decisions they should be making.

 

"They should think about the long-term effects."

 

Warwickshire hunt follower Robert Pugh, 56, said the peaceful protest was aimed at preventing a ban but hunting would continue in any case.

 

The government has chosen the path of prejudice and spite - the reaction it unleashes will be entirely its own responsibility

Simon Hart

Countryside Alliance

 

Hunt groups ready for demo 

 

"This might be a tough time for us but hunting will not finish," he said.

 

Ministers are proposing a motion to delay enforcement of any ban until the end of July or beginning of August 2006 after backbench pressure.

 

Even if it is backed by MPs, the two year delay cannot be forced through against Lords' wishes, which would leave the government with the choice of an immediate ban or no ban at all.

 

Ballot box protest

 

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said it would be "perverse" for the Lords and hunting supporters to oppose a delay.

 

He told BBC News 24: "We want to give a bit of space for common sense for people to back off, to look at re-homing of the dogs they have at the moment for hunting purposes, to look at changing to drag hunting, to other business activities."

 

This is all about class warfare and very little to do with animal welfare

Richard Middleton, England

 

And the prime minister's spokesman said Mr Blair believed that, after seven years trying to find a way to resolve the issue and find a middle way, he recognised that had not succeeded and it was time to live up to two manifesto commitments to give MPs a free vote on the issue.

 

Some critics say the delay is to avoid pro-hunt protests in the build-up to the election expected next spring.

 

The minister said the election gave opponents of a ban the chance to register their protest at the ballot box rather than on the streets.

 

Debate time

 

All the stages of the Hunting Bill are set to be debated by MPs in just one day - something which was challenged by the Conservatives.

 

MPs spent two-and-half hours debating the procedure, which is now going to votes before they start discussing the ban itself.

 

No date has been given for a Lords debate, but this is expected to take place in October.

 

The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance says it makes no difference if there was a delay before the Bill's implementation and plans to mount a legal challenge if the ban is approved using the Parliament Act.

 

The chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, Douglas Batchelor, said that the return of the bill to the Commons was "the high point of our 80-year campaign",

 

He said he "simply cannot see any good reason" for a delay on implementation of a ban.

 

At prime minister's questions, Tory leader Michael Howard said Tony Blair was sending a message that hunting was his priority at a time when crime was up, taxes were rising and the MRSA superbug was a major problem in British hospitals.

 

Mr Blair did not mention hunting but said he was proud of Labour's record on crime, law and order, education and health.

[Zorin Industries 0]

About fucking time.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

So what happens when the fox population gets out of control? I know people here are always against deer hunting but none of them realize the usefulness of keeping certain animal populations down.

 

I can't imagine a growth in the fox population being good for the environment.

[Zorin Industries 0]

I have no problems with and humane and properly organizied way to cull the fox population.

 

I DO have a problem with them being chased down and ripped apart by dogs

[razazteca 0]

Did WWF have anything to do with this? So they care for animals other than pandas?

[Si82 0]

About fucking time.

Agreed

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Just how many fucking threads are we going to have on this?...

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Are fox endangered?

 

What's the difference if they get chewed up by a hunting dog or some natural predator?

[Highland 0]

The UK is full of animal rights loonies, that's why it's being banned.