League calls on MPs and public to voice support for Hunting Act
Tuesday 5th February 2013: Leading anti-hunting charity, the League Against Cruel Sports is today urging the Great British public and politicians alike to rally behind a bid to ensure wildlife currently protected under the Hunting Act 2004, including fox, hare, mink and deer, remain safe.
Joe Duckworth, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports says: “Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, is opening a new front in the war on wildlife. The Minister has announced they will be working hard behind the scenes to arm twist MPs to lift the ban on hunting fox, deer and hare before the next general election.
“We must not let the Environment Secretary’s Boxing Day statement fool us into thinking the future of the Hunting Act is safe; time is of the essence. With the Secretary of State openly voicing his determination to see a return of the barbaric blood sport, there is no room for complacency. We are therefore calling on the support of the public to make sure this does not happen.
“Mr Paterson has already declared war on badgers by going ahead with the cull. He has now declared war on foxes, hare and deer by announcing his intention to coerce MPs to vote for repeal of the Hunting Act.”
According to the League’s own research, the majority of MPs, 324, 2 do not want the Hunting Act to be repealed. Furthermore, recent Ipsos MORI polling conducted on behalf of the League, RSPCA and IFAW showed the vast majority of the Great British public also do not want to see the ban overturned.1
However, the charity is concerned that the Environment Secretary is going to be lobbying this majority hard in the coming months to pave the way for repeal of the Act.
“The Coalition Government’s insistence on holding a free vote on the hunting ban during the five-year Parliament reaffirms the lack of alignment between what the public want and what the Government is determined to do. We know that 76% of people and the majority of MPs, 324, are currently against repeal and we need to ensure that there views are respected and listened to in Parliament,” Joe Duckworth concludes.
Chris Williamson, Labour MP for Derby North, one of the leading MP advocates in favour of the Hunting Act has secured an adjournment debate in Parliament on Monday 11th February on policing violence at hunts, another negative impact associated with hunting.
ENDS
Notes To Editors
1. Ipsos MORI interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 1943 adults in Great Britain aged 15+.
• Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI (Computer Aided
Personal Interviewing Laptops), as part of the Ipsos MORI Omnibus (Capibus).
• Fieldwork was conducted between 28 September - 10 October 2012.
• The results have been weighted to reflect the known profile of the adult population.
• We asked the following question:
Now a question about sports where animals are set on other animals to fight or kill them. These activities are currently illegal in the United Kingdom. SHOWCARD A For each one I read out, please tell me whether you think it should or should not be made legal again. Just read out the letter that applies in each case. SHOWCARD A
Yes, should be made legal again
No, should not be made legal again
Don’t Know
Fox Hunting; Deer Hunting; Hare Hunting and Coursing, Dog fighting, Badger baiting.
The order respondents were asked about each activity was rotated.
http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3103/Public-perceptions-of-hunting.aspx
2.Table illustrating MPs voting intentions when asked if they would vote to repeal the Hunting Act 2004
Abstain 13
Deputy Speaker (cannot vote) 3
No 324
Sein Fein MPs do not take up seat 5
Speaker cannot vote 1
Undecided 27
Unknown 17
Yes 257
Total 647
3. About the League Against Cruel Sports
The League Against Cruel Sports is a registered charity that brings together people who care about animals. Like the majority of the public, we believe that cruelty to animals in the name of sport has no place in modern society. Registered charity number 1095234. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk/.
4. Please contact the League’s Press Office on 01483 524250 (24hrs) with any queries or interview requests. Alternatively please email press@league.org.uk or visit www.league.org.uk