Hunt season starts with hopes of ban repeal

Oct 31 2010 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

HUNDREDS of riders and hounds were out in force yesterday as the new hunting season got underway.

Supporters and members of the Tynedale and Zetland hunts in the North East were among thousands gathering in the UK for opening meets across the country yesterday.

They were optimistic of a repeal of the Labour Government’s Hunting Act 2004 will be repealed by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.

But animal rights groups – including the League Against Cruel Sports and the International Fund for Animal Welfare – claimed a u-turn on the act would be little more than a “pipedream”.

Northumberland farmer Richard Dodd, North spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, was among a crowd of 200 supporters at the first meeting of Tynedale Hunt at Capheaton Hall, Northumberland.

He admitted a vote on repeal is a long way down the list of the Government’s priorities, but believes change will come.

Mr Todd, of Belsay, Northumberland, said the morning’s meet had been a success.

He said: “There was a very big turnout – around 120 horses and another 200 in the crowd, including lots of farmers.

“That’s about normal for the first meeting, which is rather like the first day of the Premier League for people in the countryside.

“Hunting to us isn’t just about fox control – it’s also a social event for us because we haven’t got the pubs, theatres and nightclubs that you have in the cities.

“We are moving into harder times so the Government has got bigger foxes to chase at the moment, but when the Government can get round to it they will address the issue.

“It’s just going to take a while.”