The resumption of hunting

Today's announcement by DEFRA over the resumption of hunting is broadly in line with recent press speculation.

The situation is that the proposals (which are published on the DEFRA website) are now subject to a 3-week consultation
period. Hunts and individuals will then be able to apply for licenses with a view to restarting hunting around the 17th December.

Hunting using terriers and lurchers can commence after this weekend when the Controlled Area Status has been altered.
No permit is required for this type of hunting but it is still subject to the conditions laid down by DEFRA.

The hunting of deer remains prohibited due to cloven-hoofed animals being susceptible to FMD. This reflects comments made in the Northumberland Report that followed the `67/`68 outbreak.  We will, of course, be doing everything possible to support those affected.

Representatives of the Countryside Alliance and the Council of Hunting Associations are meeting Alun Michael on Tuesday
to begin the process of consultation.

Representatives of the Council of Hunting Associations are also meeting on Monday to discuss resumption protocol and
this will be followed by a meeting of the MFHA on Tuesday afternoon. The MFHA meeting will be to discuss the MFHA's
protocol in light of the DEFRA announcement and the ways in which it can be efficiently communicated to those who are responsible for conducting hunting.

The areas of the Risk Assessment and licensing proposals that will be subject to these discussions are:

* How long is this licensing regime to be imposed, and will it be discontinued after the country is declared
FMD free?
* What restrictions will be placed upon the activities of hunt saboteurs?
* What are the Data Protection issues relating to the detailed recording of names and addresses of those
who hunt?
* What is the reason behind the keeping records of who has hunted, where and when for 6 months?
* Why are there more restrictions on people following hunts than people using the countryside for other
purposes? For example the new restrictions suggest that hunt followers must only use public roads whilst other
visitors are being encouraged to use all rights of way and footpaths.

Finally, we have made it perfectly clear from the outset, that whatever DEFRA may suggest, the Hunting Associations
will only sanction the resumption of hunting when they are satisfied that the farming community is happy and that their own protocol criteria can be met.

Sam Butler
Chairman, Campaign for Hunting

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CA Press Release -
Campaign for Hunting calls for clarification of
DEFRA proposals for hunting resumption
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/news/latest01/011115hcd.htm

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The details from DEFRA -
Proposals for the relaxation of Foot and Mouth Disease
controls on falconry and on hunting with dogs -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/rural/Hunting/index.htm

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Scotland

On Tuesday the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development Committee commenced its second day of consideration of amendments to Lord Watson's Bill to ban hunting in Scotland.

Following the submission of oral and written evidence by rural groups, MSPs of all parties criticised Lord Watson's drafting
and the draconian impact his Bill would have on the Scottish countryside. As a result, significant changes were made to
the Bill, extending exceptions to the offence. However, the legislation remains fundamentally flawed and unworkable.
There is no basis for complacency, as arguments will have to fought again when the Bill returns to the Scottish Parliament
for Stage 3 debate, amendment and final vote. We understand that the Bill should complete Stage 2 by 4 December, with Stage 3 being taken either just before, or after Christmas.

Our efforts continue with a wide-ranging campaign well under way. The high spot of this will almost certainly be a major event in Edinburgh before the Bill's Stage 3. We hope to make this the subject of a separate announcement very shortly.

Scottish Countryside Alliance

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James Stanford, organiser of the cancelled Livelihood and
Liberty March, writes on the situation in Scotland and plans
for a march in Edinburgh in the current issue of
Horse and Hound. Read his article here
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/a/011115.htm
 

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First draft Access Maps published
The Countryside Agency is preparing maps of all open country and registered common land in England (the Countryside Council for Wales are carrying out the same task in Wales). This is a statutory duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

England has been divided into eight mapping areas. There will be an extensive public consultation exercise on the draft maps of each area. This will include consultation with local access forums, land-owning and user interests, national parks
authorities and local government.

Draft maps for the South East and the Lower North West areas were published this week. You have until 11 February 2001 to make representations on the draft maps.
Full details of the maps [including online versions], explanation of the procedures and the venues for consultation presentations are available here:- http://www.countryside.gov.uk/index.htm

Following consultation, provisional maps will be issued. At this stage people with a legal interest in an area of land
(such as land owners and tenants) will be able to appeal to the Secretary of State against the inclusion of their land on the
provisional map. The final stage will be to produce the conclusive map of open country and registered common land.

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For more information see Countryside Alliance web site
http://www.countryside-alliance.org

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