Minister Jim Paice says Hunting Act is unworkable

 

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, pictured left, is in favour of hunting with dogs

 

The Hunting Act "simply doesn't work", Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has said, as hundreds across the UK prepare for traditional Boxing Day meets.

On a visit to hunt kennels in Peterborough, the Conservative minister said he supported hunting with dogs.
He added that the coalition agreed there would be a vote on whether to repeal the act when there was "time in the parliamentary calendar".
The 2005 act makes it illegal to hunt wild animals using dogs.
Hunt supporters describe the act as expensive and failed, and are calling for it to be repealed. But opponents say there is no desire among the general public to bring it back.
Ahead of the annual hunt in Milton Park, Peterborough, Mr Paice said: "The current law simply doesn't work.
"I personally am in favour of hunting with dogs - and the coalition agreement clearly states that we will have a free vote on whether to repeal the act when there is time in the parliamentary calendar to do so."

Alice Barnard, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said 250,000 people were expected to come out to support their local hunt.

It was a point of pride for rural communities across the UK that, despite prejudice, hunting remained as strong as ever, she added.
Tracy Casstles, also from the Countryside Alliance, said the act was "confused" and a waste of police time, as she insisted hunts tried to work within the law.
Hunt saboteur Michael Haines, however, said he has seen the law being broken "every single week".
League Against Cruel Sports chief executive Joe Duckworth said it was "utterly appalling" that people could think "chasing a wild animal with hounds to the point of exhaustion and then taking pleasure in watching it being killed was acceptable".
"This cruel blood sport has thankfully been made illegal in this country and there is absolutely no desire among the general public to bring it back."