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17/02/2005
Hunting ban comes into force
The Hunting Act will come into force tonight, in spite of opposition from pro-hunt campaigners.
From midnight tonight, it will be illegal to use a dog to hunt a wild mammal in England and Wales. Hare coursing will also be banned.
There are several exemptions under the Act, including ratting, rabbiting, stalking and flushing with one or two dogs and using a dog below ground to protect birds kept for shooting.
The Act comes into force despite attempts by pro-hunt group, the Countryside Alliance, to challenge the ban. The group took their case to the High Court last month, in an attempt to overturn the ban. They claimed that the Act was invalid, because the 1949 Parliament Act was used to introduce the act, following opposition from the House of Lords. However, the High Court decided that the Act was valid and the Appeal Court upheld their decision yesterday.
The Court of Appeal also refused the Countryside Alliance leave to appeal to the House of Lords and rejected their application to suspend the effect of the Act. However, the Alliance said yesterday that they would now petition the House of Lords direct to consider a further appeal.
Commenting on the Act, Alun Michael, Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality, said: "Hunt supporters have the right to demonstrate legally and to take action in the courts, but they do not have the right to flout a law that has been passed lawfully by a large majority of democratically elected Members of Parliament."
Mr Michael added: "The government has remained confident of its position throughout this challenge. We are also confident in respect of a quite separate action brought by the Alliance under human rights legislation. It is important to realise that even if the Human Rights Act challenge were to succeed, this would not affect the continuing validity of the Hunting Act."
The Minister said that he was "particularly pleased" that hunt organisers were discussing an intention to hunt within the law. He said: "That means doing all that is traditionally associated with hunting from the stirrup cup to red coats to enjoying a day in the fresh air, and that should cause problems for no-one - as long as they don't use their dogs to hunt a wild mammal."
It has been reported that many hunts in England and Wales have altered their schedules to take place today, in order to beat the ban. Some hunts are also expected to attempt to defy the ban and continue to hunt illegally.
Under the new legislation, anyone who breaks the ban could face a fine of up to £5000 and the confiscation of dogs, vehicles and articles used for hunting, as well as gaining a criminal record.
Chief Constables will be responsible for policing the ban. The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidelines to police forces on how to deal with the new legislation.
(KMcA/SP)
From midnight tonight, it will be illegal to use a dog to hunt a wild mammal in England and Wales. Hare coursing will also be banned.
There are several exemptions under the Act, including ratting, rabbiting, stalking and flushing with one or two dogs and using a dog below ground to protect birds kept for shooting.
The Act comes into force despite attempts by pro-hunt group, the Countryside Alliance, to challenge the ban. The group took their case to the High Court last month, in an attempt to overturn the ban. They claimed that the Act was invalid, because the 1949 Parliament Act was used to introduce the act, following opposition from the House of Lords. However, the High Court decided that the Act was valid and the Appeal Court upheld their decision yesterday.
The Court of Appeal also refused the Countryside Alliance leave to appeal to the House of Lords and rejected their application to suspend the effect of the Act. However, the Alliance said yesterday that they would now petition the House of Lords direct to consider a further appeal.
Commenting on the Act, Alun Michael, Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality, said: "Hunt supporters have the right to demonstrate legally and to take action in the courts, but they do not have the right to flout a law that has been passed lawfully by a large majority of democratically elected Members of Parliament."
Mr Michael added: "The government has remained confident of its position throughout this challenge. We are also confident in respect of a quite separate action brought by the Alliance under human rights legislation. It is important to realise that even if the Human Rights Act challenge were to succeed, this would not affect the continuing validity of the Hunting Act."
The Minister said that he was "particularly pleased" that hunt organisers were discussing an intention to hunt within the law. He said: "That means doing all that is traditionally associated with hunting from the stirrup cup to red coats to enjoying a day in the fresh air, and that should cause problems for no-one - as long as they don't use their dogs to hunt a wild mammal."
It has been reported that many hunts in England and Wales have altered their schedules to take place today, in order to beat the ban. Some hunts are also expected to attempt to defy the ban and continue to hunt illegally.
Under the new legislation, anyone who breaks the ban could face a fine of up to £5000 and the confiscation of dogs, vehicles and articles used for hunting, as well as gaining a criminal record.
Chief Constables will be responsible for policing the ban. The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidelines to police forces on how to deal with the new legislation.
(KMcA/SP)
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28 January 2005
Pro-hunt campaigners lose legal ban battle
Pro-hunt campaigners have lost their bid to overturn the government's hunting ban. The Countryside Alliance had launched a case to overturn the 2004 Hunting Act, because it had been passed by use of the Parliament Act 1949, which the group claimed was invalid.
Pro-hunt campaigners lose legal ban battle
Pro-hunt campaigners have lost their bid to overturn the government's hunting ban. The Countryside Alliance had launched a case to overturn the 2004 Hunting Act, because it had been passed by use of the Parliament Act 1949, which the group claimed was invalid.
13 October 2005
Hunting ban upheld by House of Lords
The Countryside Alliance has failed in its bid to challenge the legality of the ban on hunting with dogs. The countryside campaigners had argued that the Hunting Act was invalid, because it had been pushed through Parliament using the 1949 Parliament Act, which they said was not legal.
Hunting ban upheld by House of Lords
The Countryside Alliance has failed in its bid to challenge the legality of the ban on hunting with dogs. The countryside campaigners had argued that the Hunting Act was invalid, because it had been pushed through Parliament using the 1949 Parliament Act, which they said was not legal.
16 February 2005
Pro-hunt supporters lose hunting ban appeal
The latest appeal by pro-hunt campaigners, Countryside Alliance, to overturn the hunting ban, has been rejected by the Appeal Court. The group had argued that the government's Hunting Act, which becomes law on February 18, is invalid, because the 1949 Parliament Act was used to introduce the act, following opposition in the House of Lords.
Pro-hunt supporters lose hunting ban appeal
The latest appeal by pro-hunt campaigners, Countryside Alliance, to overturn the hunting ban, has been rejected by the Appeal Court. The group had argued that the government's Hunting Act, which becomes law on February 18, is invalid, because the 1949 Parliament Act was used to introduce the act, following opposition in the House of Lords.
07 January 2005
Animal rights protestors to challenge hunting ban delay
Anti-hunt protestors have pledged to fight a proposed delay on the hunting ban, which is due to come into force on February 18. Pro-hunting group, the Countryside Alliance, had requested an injunction to delay the ban, while they attempt to have it over-turned in the High Court.
Animal rights protestors to challenge hunting ban delay
Anti-hunt protestors have pledged to fight a proposed delay on the hunting ban, which is due to come into force on February 18. Pro-hunting group, the Countryside Alliance, had requested an injunction to delay the ban, while they attempt to have it over-turned in the High Court.
04 August 2006
Huntsman found guilty of breaking hunting ban
A huntsman has been found guilty of breaking anti-hunting laws by signalling foxhounds to chase foxes. Tony Wright, 52, had denied breaching the Hunting Act 2004, while leading the Exmoor Foxhounds on April 29 last year. He was fined £500 at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on Friday, following a week-long trial.
Huntsman found guilty of breaking hunting ban
A huntsman has been found guilty of breaking anti-hunting laws by signalling foxhounds to chase foxes. Tony Wright, 52, had denied breaching the Hunting Act 2004, while leading the Exmoor Foxhounds on April 29 last year. He was fined £500 at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on Friday, following a week-long trial.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
