SNP supports foxhunting ban
Posted 12th February 2017
The resolution called for it to be made illegal for mounted hunts to use hounds to chase foxes from cover, and for all other hunts to be limited to two dogs. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of dogs that can be used by mounted or foot hunts.
The decision comes at the end of a week where the Green MSP, Alison Johnstone, announced a members’ bill to tighten up hunting laws in Scotland, amid concerns that the current legislation is not fit for purpose.
Ashley Douglas, who proposed the resolution, said:
"I am delighted that National Council has voted in favour of the resolution to strengthen Scotland’s fox-hunting ban.
Hunting foxes to death with hounds is cruel and barbaric and it is has been rightly banned in Scotland since 2002.
But any ban must be fit for purpose – and that's why it is so important to address huge loopholes such as the ‘flushing to guns’ exemption.
Following today’s vote, it is now official SNP party policy to remove this loophole and I look forward to seeing our SNP Scottish Government take this into consideration as it consults on how to strengthen the ban."
Jennifer Dunn, Senior Public Affairs Officer from the League Against Cruel Sports, added:
“We’re absolutely delighted that SNP delegates agreed that we need a real ban on fox hunting in Scotland. Our investigators have, over the last three years, consistently uncovered evidence of hounds being used to chase down and kill foxes. In many cases, there were no guns to be seen; hunts are using loopholes in the current legislation to flout the law.”
“The Government need to listen to their own party activists, the 20,000 people who signed our petition to ban hunting, and the 85% of the Scottish public who want a ban, and commit to ending the barbaric cruelty of foxhunting.”
Ends
- Media enquiries to Jennifer Dunn on 07980 232 287/JenniferDunn@league.org.uk