Latest from Horse & Hound in Countryside-alliance

‘Everything to play for’: your last chance to have a say on proposed trail-hunting ban

Catherine Austen — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:18:01 +0000

Supporters of trail-hunting and rural businesses whose trade would be affected by its loss are urged to reply to the Government’s consultation on the proposed ban before it closes on Thursday (18 June).

The Future for Hunting campaign, a joint initiative between the Countryside Alliance and the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) has put together a suggested response, completing which will also contact the respondent’s MP.

Alliance director of hunting Polly Portwin told H&H: “This is a critical moment for everyone who values hunting, hounds and the communities that support them. In years to come, when we look back on this moment, each of us should be able to say that we played our part.

“Before the consultation closes, ask yourself honestly: have I done everything I can to help protect hunting’s future?”

Have your say

Ms Portwin said it is crucial the Government understands the economic impact a ban would have on rural communities.

Nessie Chanter, joint-master of the Heythrop, explained: “Our hunt alone has 112 suppliers whose business will be adversely affected by the proposed ban.

“There are 293 farmers within our hunt country who will be affected by discounted fallen stock services, reduced hay and straw sales and free fence repair. There are 30 livery yards who would struggle to continue. That’s not to mention the vets, farriers, lorry mechanics, feed merchants, horse dentists and chiropractors who gain so much business from 150 individuals and 300 horses who hunt with the Heythrop.”

Supporting businesses

Mrs Chanter added that the Heythrop hunts three days a week and there is usually a meeting in a pub afterwards.

“These pubs won’t see the level of support in the winter that they’re used to, not to mention the sense of community built around trail-hunting. There is so much good that transpires from the trail-hunting community in our area, from litter-picking to raising money for charity; on average, £16,000 to £18,000 per annum.”

“It is clear that the rural community is being persecuted,” she added. “The Heythrop has 150 riding and 325 non-riding members, aged eight to over 80, from all walks of life, who have a reason to get out of their houses a few times a week and spend the day in the fresh air together.

“The social interaction, exercise and feeling of belonging in our community, reflected across all hunts in England and Wales, improves mental health and wellbeing and would be impossible to replicate.

“The layers of damage that a ban would cause have simply not been recognised by a Government with extraordinary priorities that seem intent on engaging in a battle, not just with trail-hunting, but with the countryside as a whole.”

Trail-hunting ban consultation: timeline unknown

It is unknown how quickly Defra will react to the consultation but Mrs Portwin said: “We’re confident that this is one of the largest, if not the largest, response Defra has had to any consultation. This is only the start of our campaign, which will very much be ongoing while we find out what the next steps are in terms of legislation.”

Sam Butler, vice-chairman of Future for Hunting, added: “Momentum and recognition of the importance of our campaign is gathering. I’m seeing further and wider support from third parties and the realisation that this is about a much bigger picture.

“This consultation is only part of the overall process of the campaign meeting its objectives and there is everything to play for – the threat facing farmers and every way of life in the countryside is very real.”

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Time to stand up and be counted as consultation opens on how to ban trail-hunting

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:22:36 +0000

We knew the moment was coming – now it is here, and time for trail-hunting supporters to “stand up and be counted”.

The Government has launched its promised consultation on how – not whether – to ban trail-hunting, which critics have described as “an attempt to distract from the real problems”.

The consultation runs until 18 June, and the Future for Hunting campaign, a joint initiative between the Countryside Alliance and the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) has put together a suggested response, completing which will also contact the respondent’s MP.

Trail-hunting ban: have your say

“We are proud to have established the Future for Hunting campaign, working in partnership with the Countryside Alliance, to fight these unjustified, disproportionate and deeply damaging proposals,” BHSA managing director Olly Hughes told H&H. “This is the moment for all supporters to come together behind one national campaign and show that we will stand up for this pursuit, which remains such an important part of rural life.

“Trail-hunting is lawful, legitimate and well regulated, and hunts remain an integral part of the fabric of rural life in England and Wales – supporting jobs, charities and a wider rural economy to which they contribute around £100m per annum.

“My message today is simple: to those who are members of hunts, those who support those hunts and the wider rural community, make your voice count by responding to the consultation and speaking to your MP. Tell your friends, family and wider supporters to get involved. It is only by all of us working together that we will show the Government this is the wrong priority at the wrong time for people in rural constituencies up and down the country.”

The Countryside Alliance accused the Government of “warped priorities”, pointing out that the last Labour Government spent 700 hours of parliamentary time debating the Hunting Act, which banned foxhunting but allowed trail-hunting.

Unnecessary and unjustified

CEO Tim Bonner said: “At a time when the countryside is on its knees as a result of misguided Government policies and a cost-of-living crisis heightened by war, the Government has again chosen to attack rural communities with another assault on rural life. A ban on trail-hunting is unnecessary, unjustified and unfair.”

A Defra spokesperson said the consultation is part of the Government’s delivery of its manifesto commitment.

“We want alternative practices such as draghunting and clean‑boot hunting, which use non‑animal scents, to continue to thrive,” the spokesperson said. “We recognise that hunts can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside. We are committed to ensuring that responsible rural pursuits, where there is no risk to our precious wildlife, can continue.”

Mr Hughes urged supporters to sign up to Future for Hunting and follow the campaign.

“We have known this moment was coming,” he said. “Now it is here, and it is time for everyone who cares about legal trail-hunting and the communities behind it to stand up and be counted.”

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‘An all-out war on the countryside’: Government accused of ‘warped priorities’ as trail-hunting ban consultation opens

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:45:49 +0000

The Government has been accused of having “warped priorities” as it launches its consultation on how – not whether – to ban trail-hunting, “in an attempt to distract from real problems”.

Defra announced today (26 March) that its consultation on the ban it promised before the 2024 general election has opened. Hunt supporters have been urged to wait a few days to respond, to ensure a unified response to this “assault on rural communities”.

“The news comes at a time when the Labour Government has already caused mass rural uproar with its family farm tax and proposals to restrict shotgun ownership and gamebird shooting, as part of what critics have branded an ‘all-out war on the countryside’,” a Countryside Alliance spokesperson said. “Rural pubs and businesses are currently facing unprecedented hardships as a result of Government policies and the ongoing war in the Middle East.

“Trail hunting contributes £100m to the rural economy every year, contributing to local economies, sustaining rural employment and supporting a wide network of small businesses – from farriers and feed merchants to country pubs and suppliers – across hundreds of constituencies.”

The Alliance pointed out that the last Labour Government spent 700 hours of parliamentary time debating the Hunting Act, which banned foxhunting but allowed trail-hunting.

Chief executive Tim Bonner said: “At a time when the countryside is on its knees as a result of misguided Government policies and a cost-of-living crisis heightened by war, the Government has again chosen to attack rural communities with another assault on rural life. A ban on trail-hunting is unnecessary, unjustified and unfair.

“This is nothing more than the Government attempting to distract from the real problems facing British people. Voters care about the countryside, the food on their table and cheaper energy bills; not toxic culture wars.

“With two in three voters believing that the Government does not care about the countryside, Sir Keir Starmer is running the very real risk of causing a permanent schism between Labour and the countryside. If the Government continues down this path, it will do nothing but confirm to rural people that Labour has warped priorities and a fundamental dislike of the countryside.”

Trail-hunting ban consultation

The Alliance cited a recent poll carried out by research specialists ORB, which found that 65% of voters feel Labour “unfairly neglects” people living in the countryside. Asked what the Government’s top priorities were, not one person mentioned banning trail-hunting.

Polly Portwin, director of the Alliance’s Campaign for Hunting, told H&H the team is analysing the consultation, which is open until 18 June, and will be issuing guidance to help people respond to it, so MPs know the true depth of support. H&H will share this as soon as it is available.

Ben Wallace chairs Future for Hunting, the joint Countryside Alliance and British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) campaign.

“When the Government should be focused on delivering for rural Britain, choosing instead to prioritise an ideological attack on a lawful countryside activity sends a troubling message about where its true priorities lie,” he said.

“This is clearly a misguided approach from Government coming at a time when all their focus should be on the cost of living and mitigating escalating fuel prices; an issue that disproportionately affects the countryside. The countryside deserves better than policymaking driven by prejudice rather than practical reality.”

Serious and immediate consequences

BHSA managing director Oliver Hughes added that a ban would have “serious and immediate consequences” for jobs, livelihoods and animal welfare.

“Thousands of people are directly and indirectly employed through hunting-related activity, and around 12,000 hounds are currently maintained and cared for by hunts,” he said. “Ministers have yet to explain what provision would be made for those hounds, or for the rural workers whose incomes depend on this sector.”

A Defra spokesperson said the consultation is part of the Government’s delivering of its manifesto commitment.

“Trail-hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting,” a spokesperson said, adding that it “can result in wild animals, including foxes and hares, being injured or killed by dogs, as well as household pets in some cases” and that “concerns also persist around whether trail-hunting is being used by some as a ‘smokescreen’ to facilitate illegal hunting with dogs”.

H&H has asked Defra for the evidence on which these statements are based.

A “complex issue”

Animal welfare minister Baroness Sue Hayman said: “We pledged to ban trail-hunting in our manifesto and that is exactly what we intend to do.

“The nature of trail-hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild and domestic animals are not put at risk of being killed or injured – that is clearly unacceptable.

“We understand that this is a complex issue and so we are seeking views from everyone with an interest to help shape how we bring this forward.”

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Welcome news for horse owners as Government to enforce ragwort law again

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 13:52:58 +0000

Campaigners have welcomed the Government’s return to enforcing the law on ragwort, by reopening its complaints procedure from April.

The Countryside Alliance was among those that raised concerns about the fact Natural England had stopped accepting complaints about ragwort, in September. Natural England is the Government body responsible for enforcing the Weeds Act, under which owners of land at risk of spread of injurious weeds including ragwort can insist on its being controlled – but only after Natural England takes action.

Alliance member Christopher Jenkin, a farmer in Wiltshire, raised the alarm when he was affected by ragwort spreading from a neighbouring field.

South Cotswolds PM Roz Savage submitted a written parliamentary question asking what action was being taken and the Government responded: “Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure while NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.”

But Mr Jenkin pointed out that Natural England already had an “off season” for complaints, from October to March, and “it seems difficult to explain why any review of its approach could not have been conducted in that period”.

A Countryside Alliance spokesperson said: “Since then, the alliance has been pushing Defra and Natural England to commit to re-opening its complaints procedure and cease to abdicate its responsibilities in this area.

“While the ‘off season’ remains, the government website has now been updated, and complaints will once again be accepted between 1 April and 30 October 2026. Natural England will aim to respond to valid complaint forms within 10 working days.”

The spokesperson said the alliance will continue to monitor the situation. Director of public affairs James Legge added: “We were deeply concerned at the sudden suspension of the complaints process in September and took action to ensure it was eventually re-opened, providing much needed clarity to farmers and landowners”.

Updated information on the injurious weeds complaints process has been published on the Government website.

“Accessible guidance for complainants and land managers will be made available in advance of April,” a Defra spokesperson told H&H. “Where appropriate action cannot be agreed voluntarily and complaints have been accepted by Natural England, we consider action in line with our enforcement position.”

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Rural community urged to act as Labour pledges full hunting ban

Becky Murray — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:33:06 +0000

Calls have been made for the rural community to “take action for hunting” by lobbying MPs and demonstrating that the sport is a “well-regulated activity” – following the Labour party’s pledge for a full ban.

MP Steve Reed, the shadow secretary of state for environment, food, and rural affairs, told The Times that there are “loopholes” in the current legislation, and a ban on trail and drag hunting “is something we’ll do in the first term of a Labour government”. Mr Reed also stated that polls show three quarters of rural voters support a ban.

A spokesman for Mr Reed confirmed to H&H that he stood by these comments. The poll referred to was commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports in 2022.

Oliver Hughes, managing director of governing body the British Hound Sports Association, told H&H there are about 12,000 days of trail hunting in England and Wales each year, “with the vast majority taking place without any problems”.

“It simply isn’t true that rural voters want to ban trail hunting. On the contrary, trail hunting enjoys widespread popular support. You only have to look back to the Boxing Day meets to see the tens of thousands of people that turned out to support these, as they always do,” he said.

“Trail hunts do not pursue any wild animal and take place on land with the express permission of the landowner – so why would there be a desire to ban them?”

Mr Hughes added that there are “far more important matters” in rural communities that should be priorities for Labour, “not a culture war masquerading as an attempt to improve animal welfare”.

“Labour seems to have little understanding of country sports and of the rural communities that are involved, and has shown little desire to learn,” he said.

“So we would urge Steve Reed and other senior members of the Labour party to meet with us, before potentially destroying a traditional way of life enjoyed by tens of thousands of people in rural communities across the nation.”

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner told H&H Labour’s position is “unjustified, illogical, and prejudiced”.

“It will be opposed at every stage by the Alliance and the hunting community. There is a perception that Labour believes hunts are breaking the law, so they think this policy is justified,” he said.

“The single most pressing priority, therefore, is that the entire hunting community proves to the public, politicians and the police that trail hunting is a well-regulated activity which is conducted safely and within the law.”

The Alliance said it is “vital” that everyone signs up to the Campaign for Hunting, which aims to promote “high standards of hound and horse welfare as well as hunt conduct, on and off the hunting field” – and dispel “misconceptions about hunting and combats mistruths spread about legal activities”.

“We will be asking people to take action for hunting by lobbying candidates and MPs, signing e-lobbies and engaging in positive PR campaigns,” said Polly Portwin, Countryside Alliance Campaign for Hunting director.

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Tens of thousands turn out to support trail-hunting at festive meets

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:04:07 +0000

Tens of thousands of people turned out to support hunting over the festive period, and thousands backed a new campaign to oppose restrictions on trail-hunting.

Huge crowds were reported across the country, for what are expected to be the last Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets before the next general election.

The scenes came as Labour has committed to “strengthen” the Hunting Act should the party gain power.

The Countryside Alliance warned Labour not to engage in a “toxic culture war” by legislating to ban hunting again and urged leader Keir Starmer to “right the wrongs of the past” and end its “running attack on rural communities”. The Alliance used festive meets to officially launch its Action for Hunting campaign, signing up supporters ready to “springboard into action” to oppose any new restrictions on hunting.

Alliance director of hunting Polly Portwin said: “Hunts have yet again been welcomed by a huge number of supporters who have gathered in all weathers in high streets, town squares, outside pubs and in fields.

“That any politician or activist could look at these scenes and want to see that way of life legislated against for political kicks, is deeply disturbing. Any new legislation would be a pointless waste of time and create division in the countryside, the likes of which have not been seen since the last Labour government passed the Hunting Act in 2004.

“Ultimately, the countryside doesn’t want to have a fight over hunting again, but it will not sit back and allow itself to be bullied or become victim to a toxic culture war.”

Ollie Cornock is joint-master of the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase, which was cheered through Winslow high street on Boxing Day.

He said: “Yet again we’ve had a wonderful reception in Winslow where the crowds seem to get bigger each year and we are pleased to see so many sign up to protect hunting with hounds for future generations. We are incredibly grateful for this continued support from locals and those who travel some distance to show their support for our wonderful hounds.”

A spokesman for the British Hound Sports Association told H&H: “We were delighted by the number of followers this year – as always rural communities have come out in force, up and down the country to express their support. This year we asked the hunts to send us photos of the crowds at their Boxing Day meets with an estimated number that attended. From those hunts that did so, the total attendance stands at 86,500 people in their town or village squares. It’s a genuine endorsement of trail hunting and the benefits it provides for rural communities.”

Trail-hunting demo days receive ‘excellent response’, with more planned

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:33:56 +0000

Three trail-hunting demonstration days have been open to both opponents and supporters, and more are planned as part of work to protect and preserve the sport.

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) hosted the events, the last of which was in Gloucestershire on 12 December. The aim was to show “how hunts are following the letter of the law in their preparations for every hunt day, and show trail hunting working successfully”.

BHSA managing director Oliver Hughes told H&H: “These trail hunting demonstration days have had an excellent response from supporters and from local and national media. Even groups who deny that trail hunting is a legitimate, legal, and well-regulated sport have shown an interest in attending to learn more.

“The events have demonstrated how hunts across the country are following the letter of the law in their preparations for every hunt day and have shown how trail hunting works.

“We need to be open about our sport to prove that those who deny trail hunting exists are entirely wrong.”

Mr Hughes said there were more than 11,000 days of trail hunting last year, attended by thousands of people.

“We expect all hunts to operate not only within the confines of the Hunting Act but also within our own BHSA code of conduct,” he said. “In doing so, hunts are maintaining the traditions of the sport and giving all supporters and followers, whether mounted or on foot, a fantastic opportunity to see hounds working in beautiful countryside. Any member of the public is welcome at our demonstrations so all those interested should contact us and come along to one of our next events to be held in spring next year.”

Polly Portwin, hunting director at the Countryside Alliance told H&H: “The Alliance has long been encouraging hunts to use every opportunity to demonstrate their lawful hunting activities to the widest audience possible such as at county shows, game fairs and point-to-points. Each year Boxing Day meets remain hugely popular and again, provide a suitable occasion to showcase trail hunting to the public. We welcome these events and look forward to seeing more and more hunts engage further with their local communities, offering reassurance that their activities are legitimate and acceptable.”

Appeal against ‘staggering’ police notice issued to hunt

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:50:08 +0000

THE issuing of a community protection notice to the Warwickshire Hunt, breaching which would be a criminal offence, has been described as “hasty, extreme and staggering”.

The Warwickshire Police rural crime team announced on 14 December that it had warned the hunt in May about “antisocial use of the country road network”, but that it was still seeing “unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads”.

“There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at designated points,” a spokesman for the rural crime team said. “Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence.”

Warwickshire Hunt chairman Sam Butler told H&H the hunt is appealing the decision.

“This is a hasty and extreme action taken by the police,” he said. “The Warwickshire Hunt will be appealing this notice and has every expectation that it will be set aside. There is no justification for issuing the notice and the rural community will be extremely surprised that the police have time to pursue such issues while the vast majority of rural crime goes unaddressed.”

British Hound Sports Association managing director Oliver Hughes told H&H the association is supporting the hunt in its appeal and agrees with its expectation that the notice will be set aside.

Countryside Alliance campaign for hunting director Polly Portwin pointed out that the alliance’s rural crime survey indicated that issues such as agricultural machinery theft and fly-tipping are the major concerns of the rural community in Warwickshire.

“So this action will do very little to enhance relationships between the police and those who live and work in isolated areas,” she told H&H. “It is staggering that Warwickshire Police have taken these extreme measures against a lawful activity such as trail-hunting, while appearing to do very little to combat the actual crimes which affect the wider rural community. We support the Warwickshire Hunt in their appeal and look forward to this notice being overturned.”

Warwickshire Police assistant chief constable Ben Smith told H&H the force has been notified of the appeal and as the case is therefore ongoing, he could not comment on the details of the evidence that “forms part of the notice”.

“As Warwickshire Police, we will continue to remain impartial with our primary aim of upholding the law and seeking to balance the respective rights of the hunt with those members of the community who have raised concerns about their conduct,” he said. “Ultimately, it will be for a court to decide as to where that balance lies. The matter is currently with the court and both parties are awaiting notification of a court date.”

The fight for ‘liberty and livelihood’ continues, 20 years on

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:31:14 +0000

THE fight for the country’s liberty and livelihood continues, 20 years after the march of that name, a march no one who attended will ever forget.

This was the message at a parliamentary reception hosted by Greg Smith MP and Lord Herbert of South Downs, Countryside Alliance chairman, held on 6 September to mark the anniversary, and “to remind ourselves of what that march was all about”.

Hundreds of thousands of people poured into London for the Liberty and Livelihood March in September 2002, many of whom had never visited the capital before.

“The Alliance was set up in the wake of that march, by brilliant people, simply to give the countryside a voice,” Lord Herbert said. “There was very strong feeling, particularly because of the hunting bill, but also because of many policies that country people never felt they had a voice in; that the views of those who live in the countryside were being dismissed. After hundreds of thousands of people had marched on the streets of Westminster, no one could say we were a small voice.”

Lord Herbert recalled the “extraordinary sense of solidarity”, and the presence of people from all walks of life, all political persuasions, “united by one simple thing; the love of the countryside and, fundamentally, freedom – in the end, it was a march for freedom.”

Lord Herbert added that “the battleground” has changed, as have the threats, but there are also those in both Houses of Parliament fighting on the countryside’s behalf, as well as the Alliance, which is “needed now as much as ever”.

Mr Smith said he is optimistic about the future; he said he asked the candidates for the Prime Minister’s job if they could “guarantee no silly buggers on the rural way of life”, and that Liz Truss’s answer was “the most robust”, adding: “It gave me great confidence that the countryside’s way of life is safe in our new Prime Minister’s hands.”

Countryside Alliance president Baroness Mallalieu said: “Anyone who was there on the march will never forget it.”

She also cited the Hyde Park rally five years before, citing one attendee who said, “I went in feeling small and came out feeling 10 feet tall because I realised we weren’t alone in our relatively isolated rural communities.”

“I remember Michael Howard and Michael Heseltine saying afterwards ‘For the first time, I know why we won the war,’” she said. “People from every background marching together for something we really cared about.”

She added that parliamentarians have since been “fighting a steady battle”, but that the effects of the Hunting Act are being seen.

“At the time, Labour had over 100 rural seats,” she said. “It’s now 17. It’s not possible to win a substantial majority without support from the rural communities.

“Full credit to those in parliament brave enough to stand up and put the case for our communities, and keeping our way of life going. I hope the new PM will be sympathetic, but also that there will be politicians brave enough to say, ‘We got this one wrong.’ Because they did.”

Sentience bill clears last hurdle to mixed response

Becky Murray — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 18:03:10 +0000

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has passed its final stage in parliament – but the new legislation has received mixed responses.

An amendment to the bill was agreed in the House of Lords on 7 April, and a date for Royal Assent, when the bill becomes law, will be scheduled. The amendment, brought forward by MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, ensures the Government’s animal sentience committee will respect provisions and customs relation to regional and cultural heritage (news, 24 March). This follows cross-party debate around the bill’s wording and concerns over potential “hijacking” by animal rights activists.

The new legislation provides recognition of animal sentience in UK law and means ministers will be “held to account” on considering the animal welfare implications of their decisions.

“For some considerable time, animals have been recognised as being capable of feeling pain, sadness, hunger, thirst and warmth, and able to enjoy a good life,” said Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville during the parliament debate.

“This is now recognised in legislation, and it will be the responsibility of the animal sentence committee to ensure that consideration is given to that during its work. I look forward to the reports which the animal sentience committee will produce, informing us all how it is carrying out its work and how sentient animals are being protected through its deliberations.”

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H the charity is “delighted and relieved” the bill had passed its final stage and will soon become law.

“As part of the 50-strong Better Deal for Animals coalition we campaigned for this and have real hope that it will make a difference,” he said.

“The fundamental principle of animal sentience has been enshrined in law and now it is a matter of putting this into practice. Establishing a balanced animal sentience committee, through having a wide range of backgrounds and varied expertise represented, will be pivotal to success. This will ensure the committee makes proportionate and robust recommendations that best protect the needs of animals when scrutinising government policy.”

The Countryside Alliance previously raised concerns about the bill, and the Alliance’s parliament and government relations manager David Bean told H&H it “remains a bad and unnecessary law”.

“But the amendment that the government finally accepted does give some protection to cultural and regional traditions,” he said. “This offers some safeguards against future manipulation of the committee. The Alliance will be watching closely to ensure attention is paid to the interests of people, as well as those of animals.”

Criminal damage conviction for hunt sab who damaged car with children inside on fun ride

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:43:59 +0000

An anti-hunt activist who hit and damaged a car with young children inside on a countryside fun ride has been ordered to pay £200 to the victim.

Tracey Cox, also known as Tracey Clayton, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the Land Rover, and was sentenced at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 21 February.

The court heard Cox was one of a number of protestors at the ride, organised by the Cottesmore hunt near Oakham on 25 April last year. The driver of the Land Rover had his two children, both under the age of four, in the car as Cox struck it, damaging the bonnet.

“Activists from three groups, some of whom reportedly wore masks and balaclavas, had been present throughout the day’s proceedings,” a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said.

“Members of the hunt witnessed some shouting abuse at participants, who had come from across the local area to take part in the event.”

Cox was given a six-month conditional discharge by magistrates. As well as the £200 to the victim, she was ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

A spokesman for the Cottesmore said: “ We would like to extend our gratitude to Leicestershire Police for their professionalism throughout this ordeal. We are pleased with the outcome of this trial and believe justice has been delivered.”

He added: “Fun rides are an opportunity to welcome families from across the community to enjoy a day out in our beautiful countryside. We look forward to continuing these important events and watching them continue to grow in popularity.”

Polly Portwin, Director of the Countryside Alliance’s Campaign for Hunting said that although “animal rights extremist groups” such as those who targeted the fun ride are small in numbers, they can be “violent and abusive”.

“Members of the public out enjoying a day in the countryside should never have to feel intimidated,” she said. “On this occasion, the perpetrator has been brought to justice and we thank the police for handling this matter professionally.”

Not feeding horses covered in updated Countryside Code

Becky Murray — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 12:03:41 +0000

Updates to the Countryside Code have been welcomed, as it is hoped the guidance will remind the public and landowners of their responsibilities.

This month, Natural England published revised guidance advising landowners that public rights of way must not be blocked and surfaces should be restored, where cultivation is carried out. Where there is public access, “gaps or accessible self-closing gates” should be installed instead of stiles if possible and advice has been provided to help landowners tackle “anti-social behaviour” and issues with dogs.

The guidance asks the public to be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside. Visitors should “give wild animals, livestock and horses plenty of space” and should not feed them. Riders and cyclists should “respect walkers’ safety” but walkers should “take care not to obstruct or endanger them”.

Countryside Alliance head of policy Sarah Lee said the pandemic led to more people enjoying the countryside, which was “to be welcomed”, but said there were numerous reports of people littering beauty spots and reports of horses and livestock being spooked by dogs.

“However, the guidance also puts an onus on landowners to replace stiles with gates. Stiles have multiple uses, from providing a stock-proof barrier while allowing people to move freely, and it should be up to individual farmers what works best for their farm while welcoming visitors.

“We would also be concerned over the cost to the farmer of changing field access points. It might be the case that money will be available through the new farming schemes to make land more accessible, but that is not clear at this stage.”

British Horse Society’s (BHS) director of access Mark Weston, said the BHS “welcomes the revisions” to the code.

“Access to the countryside is so important for everyone’s health and wellbeing. It is imperative that rights of way users and landowners know what their respective responsibilities are,” he said.

Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England, said the “refreshed advice” has never been more important in helping to ensure everyone works together to protect outdoor spaces.

“I urge all land managers to follow this new advice and continue to help make nature accessible to everyone, so people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the invaluable health and wellbeing benefits that nature offers, while giving it the respect it deserves,” she said.

‘Forthright, eloquent, passionate’: tributes paid to breeder Janet George

Becky Murray — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 12:03:05 +0000

Janet George, the hunt supporter and passionate Irish draught breeder, died at home on 21 November, aged 72, from a heart condition.

Born Miss Dobell-Brown in Australia in 1949, Mrs George was adopted as a baby and left home at 14. She got her first job at a solicitors’ in Sydney operating a switchboard, and moved to the UK aged 29.

She gained British Horse Society qualifications and got a job teaching at Lea Castle riding school, Worcestershire, where she worked with disabled riders and taught beginners. It was through the riding school she met her husband Robert George, and the couple married in 1982. Mr George worked in computing, and was joint-master of the United pack from 2001 until 2013.

In the 1980s the couple bought Silver Birch Farm in Shropshire, where Mrs George started breeding sheep. She was an avid pro-hunt campaigner and during the 1990s was chief press officer for the British Field Sports Society, which became the Countryside Alliance in 1997. During her time with the organisation she was instrumental in the famous Countryside March in London in March 1998. She also worked as a press officer for the British Horse Society.

“She was magnificent on all media, but breathlessly so on breakfast television, where her forthright, eloquent, passionate, honest and intelligent arguments won the day against all comers,” said retired journalist Joanna Dakin.

On leaving the Countryside Alliance, Mrs George formed her stud, Indigo Irish Draughts. Her broodmares included Little Macha, Indigo Macha Pride and Corraslira Cleo, and stallion Lady’s Tralee Raj was her “pride and joy”. A highlight of her breeding career was when Indigo Legacy, out of her broodmare Indigo Diamond Surprise and by Lady’s Tralee Raj, received class one grading and a bronze merit from the Irish Draught Horse Society.

A spokesman for the Irish Draught Horse Society of Great Britain said Janet was a great supporter of the breed and always had time to help those with an interest in horses.

“There are many happy owners out there with Indigo stock, and Janet will be very sadly missed,” said the spokesman.

Mrs George was a long-term and valued contributor of the H&H forum community, generously giving advice on a number of topics to other users. In the numerous tributes left to her on the forum, she has been described as having “a wealth of knowledge”, someone who was “willing to help” and who will be “sorely missed”.

Mr George predeceased Mrs George in 2020, owing to pancreatic cancer.

Major landowners ‘bullied’ into banning trail-hunting

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:58:45 +0000

THE hunting community has been hit with a double loss of country as the National Trust and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have been “bullied into” banning trail-hunting on their land.

The trust announced on 25 November that it would issue no more licences to hunts, following a members’ vote at its AGM on 30 October. The news came a week after the NRW board decided not to renew its agreement with the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA).

A spokesman for the Old Berks hunt, which has previously covered National Trust land, told H&H: ‘Trail-hunting is a legal activity which is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people and it is hugely disappointing for the Old Berks hunt that the National Trust has decided not to issue licences for a legal and legitimate activity, enjoyed by many in the rural community.

“The Old Berks hunt, as verified by the National Trust monitors, has always carried out their trail-hunting on National Trust land within the terms of the licence, and has operated within the confines of the Hunting Act of 2004 since it came into force. Furthermore, in the accompanying literature for the AGM motion, the board of the National Trust confirmed that trail-hunting is perfectly legal, that the National Trust already had a successful system in place which monitored licensed trail-hunting activities and that they were satisfied hunts complied with requirements.

“The National Trust is a multi-million-pound national charity and is inexplicably hiding behind the excuse that they ‘expend considerable resources needed to facilitate trail-hunting’ and ‘the reputational risk of this activity continuing on their land’ as reasons for suspending the licensing, after only 2% of their membership voted on the motion. The Old Berks hunt believe that this is ‘the thin end of the wedge’ and opens the flood gates for other single-issue campaigns, engineered by extremist groups, to hijack National Trust decisions. We will continue our dialogue with the National Trust and remind them that their decision to prevent a lawful and legitimate activity, enjoyed by thousands of people nationwide, goes completely against their core mantra ‘For everyone, for ever’.”

Countryside Alliance CEO Tim Bonner said the Trust decision, based on a vote involving less than 2% of its membership, “breaks a fundamental principle”.

“The charity claims to be ‘for everyone, for ever’ but by prohibiting a legal activity it has decided it is actually just for those its board approves of,” he said. “The inability of trustees to differentiate between legal use of hounds and the governance of hunting is extremely regrettable and breaks the basic principle of access to National Trust land for legitimate activities.”

The Alliance said it is ready to work with the Trust “to ensure that everyone can have confidence that all hunting activity is open, transparent and legitimate”.

The charity said no hunting licences for its land have been issued since last autumn owing to the leaked webinars on trail-hunting, and this October’s conviction of MFHA director Mark Hankinson.

The Trust’s Harry Bowell said the board of trustees “carefully considered this issue”.

“Its decision is based on a wide range of considerations. These include, but are not limited to, a loss of trust and confidence in the MFHA, the vote by members, the considerable resources needed to facilitate trail hunting and the reputational risk of this activity continuing on our land.”

H&H columnist and MFH Andrew Sallis said the decision followed a “tidal wave of social media pressure”.

“I wouldn’t say it’s public opinion as it was only 2% of the members, so you can’t say it’s reflective of the membership either,” he told H&H. “It’s a shame the Trust hasn’t adhered to the will of its benefactors of land, who were in the main very much supporters of hunting, in whatever guise that legal hunting was at the time.

“It’s a very curious decision for an organisation that considers itself progressive to ban a legal activity.”

A Hunting Office spokesman told H&H the decisions “go against the fundamental principle of allowing access to land for all people doing legitimate and legal activities”.

“Hunts have carried out well over 250,000 days’ lawful trail hunting in the last 16 years since the hunting act came into force,” the spokesman said. “Trail hunting is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people across the country; it is, and will continue to be, a huge part of the rural community and a lawful and legitimate activity.

Alliance director for Wales Rachel Evans said the organisation is “bitterly disappointed that NRW has undertaken an internal review, behind closed doors and has not fully engaged with users”.

“We feel strongly that those who trail-hunt have been unfairly dismissed from being able to access public land and have been short-changed by NRW. There has certainly been a lack of transparency in their process, which has only come to light via an online agenda published days before the meeting. The impact is far greater and goes much wider than the hunts affected, including the impact that this sort of action has on culture, the Welsh language and communities across Wales. Our campaign here isn’t over and there will undoubtedly be further work to undertake across Wales.”

NRW head of land stewardship Dominic Driver said the board had “carefully considered” the MFHA court case and its own role before the decision, which was “held in public session”.

“The outcome of the court case has resulted in a loss of confidence in the [MFHA’s] ability to ensure its activities are carried out within the law and terms of its agreement,” he said.

“To assure ourselves that trail-hunting on our estate wasn’t being used as a cover for illegal activity, we would have to invest in skills and resources we don’t have to police it properly. Given what has historically been a minor use of the land we manage, this does not represent good use of our limited resources.

“As all trail-hunting was managed under the same agreement, all trail-hunting activity on the NRW-managed estate will end with immediate effect.”

Drag-hunting will still be allowed on National Trust land.

‘Unnecessary and unjustified’: proposal to strengthen Scottish hunting law

Lucy Elder — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 12:11:59 +0000

The Scottish Government is seeking a “pre-emptive” ban on trail-hunting amid plans to strengthen the law in a move blasted by the Scottish Countryside Alliance as “unnecessary and unjustified”.

The Government launched a consultation on 29 October on a handful of proposed measures that would significantly affect how Scottish packs operate.

Hunting in Scotland falls under different laws to the Hunting Act 2004, which is the legislation under which packs in England and Wales operate. It is covered under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

At present in Scotland, more than two hounds may still be used for flushing foxes to guns. This is one of the areas the Scottish Government is seeking to change.

The proposals include limiting the number of dogs allowed to flush foxes, and other wild mammals, from covert to waiting guns and a licensing scheme for the use of more than two dogs “where no other method of control would be effective”.

The detail in the proposed licensing scheme suggests a model that could mean licences are only granted for “a specific purpose” and if there “was no satisfactory alternative method of control available”.

“Any scheme would also consider details such as the period of validity of a licence granted, the geographical area that it covers and any reporting duties on the licence holder (number of foxes culled),” it adds. “Any licensed operations would be subject to monitoring to ensure compliance with the law and with licence conditions. Licences could be withdrawn for non-compliance with monitoring or breaches of conditions.”

The Government is also consulting on “pre-emptive action to prevent trail-hunting becoming established in Scotland…to avoid it being used as a cover for illegal hunting, following the introduction of a two-dog limit”.

“This could be by banning the use of animal-based scents or any other scent that seeks to mimic the scent of wild mammals for the purpose of providing a trail for dogs to follow,” it states, clarifying that this does not extend to draghunting.

The consultation also seeks views on how the Government could strengthen the law to tackle hare coursing.

Scottish Countryside Alliance director Jake Swindells described the proposals as “unnecessary and unjustified”.

“[They] directly contradict the conclusions of the independent review carried out by Lord Bonomy,” he added.

“It is difficult to imagine a more pointless or illogical consultation, but if the Government is determined to push ahead, it must ensure that farmers can continue to protect their livestock and wildlife.

“Any licensing scheme must be fair, equitable and accessible so the livelihoods of farmers and land managers are not compromised.”

A statement from the organisation added that it is consulting with stakeholder organisations, its members and interested parties before responding to the consultation and remains engaged with members of the Scottish parliament.

“We will also be urging those who live and work in the countryside to respond directly and lobby at local level, to ensure that unnecessary and ill-thought-out legislation is not responsible for the loss of effective and humane working practices throughout Scotland,” it added.

The public consultation ends on 15 December and can be found on the Scottish Government website

The background

The direct build-up to this consultation dates back to 2015, when Lord Bonomy was asked by Scottish Government to examine whether the existing law gave adequate protection to wild mammals, while allowing effective control where necessary.

This review, which is cited numerous times in the consultation, was published in 2016. It found using packs of hounds to flush foxes to a gun remained “a significant pest control measure”. Lord Bonomy also found restricting the number of dogs would “not be as effective as that done by a full pack of hounds” and imposing a restriction could “seriously compromise effective pest control in the country” (news, 1 December, 2016; 4 December, 2017).

In his report, Lord Bonomy concluded that there were “aspects and features of the legislation which complicate unduly the detection, investigation and prosecution of alleged offences”.

In January 2019, the then Scottish parliamentary minister for rural affairs and the natural environment Mairi Gougeon (now cabinet secretary for rural affairs and islands) announced the Government’s intention to act on and “go further” than Lord Bonomy’s recommendations. The proposals seen in the current consultation can be linked back to this 2019 announcement.

What do you think about the proposals? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

Questions asked as National Trust members vote against trail-hunting on trust land

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:01:18 +0000

THE National Trust has been asked how it can even consider banning a legal activity on its land — as members voted to ban trail-hunting from all the charity’s property.

At the trust’s AGM on 30 October, 115,000 votes were cast, representing less than 2% of the charity’s membership, 76,816 in favour of the ban.

Proposer Denise Taylor, a sustainability consultant and environmental educator, had told members they had an “important decision to make”, on whether to “be part of protecting and conserving our national heritage or allow the illegal persecution of foxes to continue on National Trust property”. Dr Taylor said trail-hunting has a negative impact on a number of species.

Trustee Tom Tew, who has 30 years’ experience in nature conservation, said the trust has had meetings with organisations from across the divide of opinion, and that the return of this subject shows the strength of opinion on it.

“Passions run high and unity we know will not be possible here,” he said. “Nor is there likely to be a practical compromise solution to satisfy both supporters and opposers.”

Dr Tew explained that current policy involves licensing of hunts that want to use trust land, and that many of these have been monitored since 2018 to ensure compliance with licence terms. But since the trial involving trail-hunting was announced, the activity has been suspended on trust land.

Countryside Alliance head of hunting Polly Portwin said she was representing members and supporters who “wish to continue to be able to access land available for millions of others to partake in their activities on it”.

“I’m also speaking for people who don’t hunt but believe the trust shouldn’t discriminate against people who want to conduct a legal activity,” she said.

“As we’ve heard repeatedly today, the trust mantra is ‘For ever, for everyone’.”

Ms Portwin noted that hound exercise is legal, that all dogs need exercise, adding: “We question why members of the trust, a charitable organisation, would even consider banning an activity that’s positive for animal welfare.”

She added that trail-hunting is also lawful, that the trust has been monitoring licensed packs and said it is satisfied with the licensing policy, and that the trust says there is no evidence trail-hunting is any more damaging to conservation than any other lawful activity.

“Members should see there’s no justification for banning these activities when they’re lawful and conducted in line with trust policy,” she said.

In summing up, Dr Tew explained that the AGM is not a policy-making forum, but it “houses the democratic debate that powers the trust”.

“In making complex decisions such as this, trustees will have to consider a range of issues, but the debate and votes on this will most certainly inform our decision,” he said.

It was the second time such a motion had been put to an AGM; in 2017, it was defeated, and the trust’s rules mean the same proposal cannot be made for four years.

Future of trail-hunting on National Trust land to be decided in members’ vote

Lucy Elder — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 17:25:03 +0000

National Trust members are being asked to vote on the future of trail-hunting on its land for the second time in four years.

A members’ resolution proposes to ban trail-hunting, hound exercise and exempt hunting on National Trust land. The vote will be finalised at the organisation’s AGM on 30 October.

The Countryside Alliance is urging members to vote against the motion, so legal hunting activities can continue on National Trust property.

“The Countryside Alliance will be running a dedicated campaign over the forthcoming weeks and asking for further help to protect the future of trail-hunting on National Trust land,” said Polly Portwin, director of hunting at the Countryside Alliance.

“Ultimately, to beat this latest attempt, we will need all of our supporters – those that are eligible to vote – to do their part and vote against this motion. As with all our campaigns, the power of the grassroots to mobilise other eligible family members and friends to vote against this motion is crucial.”

The last vote on the issue was held on 21 October, 2017, receiving 30,985 votes against the proposed ban and 30,686 in favour – a margin of 299 votes. The organisation’s rules meant another poll on the same subject could not be held for four years. However, that four years is up in October and the motion is back on the table.

The trustees’ position on the matter is that the National Trust does not allow illegal activity and that it only permits hunting within the law, adding: “trail-hunting, using an artificial scent rather than hunting a live animal, is legal and one of many activities that are sometimes licensed on National Trust land.”

Online voting is open and closes at midnight on Friday, 22 October. Votes may also be submitted by post, and in person at the AGM at Harrogate Convention Centre.

‘Ridiculous’ plan to scupper Festival of Hunting voted down by council

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:31:40 +0000

Peterborough city councillors have voted down a “ridiculous” motion against the Festival of Hunting, which one said would only have wasted money and time had it been passed.

In a meeting on Wednesday (28 July), members voted 30-25 against councillor Ansar Ali’s motion which, if successful, would have meant the council writing to the East of England Agricultural Society to ask it to no longer host the festival at the East of England Showground.

Cllr Ali’s motion read: “In 2020, this council resolved to ban ‘trail’ hunting, exempt hunting and hound exercise on council land. This resolution is a clear reflection of members’ rejection of the facilitation of hunting for sport in Peterborough.

“This council believes that Peterborough is no longer a suitable place to host the Festival of Hunting.”

The festival, now in its 133rd year, attracted thousands of people last week (21 July), and hounds from kennels across the country took part. The showground is private land, so the event could not have been cancelled by the council, and the previous vote to which Cllr Ali referred was a narrowly won debate, after which it emerged that no land owned by the council was used for hunting.

Before Wednesday’s debate, East of England Agricultural Society chairman Richard Bramley said: “The society is proud of its connection with the Festival of Hunting and the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, which has taken place since 1878. No hunting activities actually take place throughout the course of the day of the show, it is simply an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the different types of hounds including beagles, basset hounds and foxhounds.

“The society hosts a number of events on the showground, which in any normal year bring in excess of £20m into the local economy. There are numerous other associated jobs linked to the venue such as catering, hospitality, security, electrical installation, sound and light as well as many local event organisers, a large number of which are engaged for the Festival of Hunting too.”

During the debate, council leader Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald told Cllr Ali: “ I have no idea why you would put this motion forward because it’s the same nonsense as the previous one about trail hunting…it’s political posturing about fox hunting and infiltrators trying to use this council to get their point of view across on something that is not for us to discuss. There are jobs and livelihoods at stake in country pursuits.”

Cllr Peter Hiller, cabinet member for strategic planning and commercial strategy and investments, said the motion would achieve nothing, and that the council should maintain its strong links to the rural world.

He said: “The Festival of Hunting takes place on privately owned land. It cannot be cancelled by a local authority, so even if the council votes to support the motion it will achieve nothing other than wasting officers’ time, taxpayers’ money and council resources that would be better spent helping Peterborough residents out of this pandemic. I’m not supporting what can only be described as gesture politics.”

He added: “Mr Mayor, I think it is important to maintain the close association that Peterborough has had with our rural past and to support our vital rural economy. Therefore I cannot support this divisive and discriminatory motion.”

Cllr Andy Coles said passing the motion would set an unwanted precedent.

He said: “If you really want to ban lawful events, perhaps we should stop the dog show down there because it’s a companion animal and animal extremists don’t like the idea of companion animals because we’re obviously abusing them.

“Or maybe we’d like to ban Truckfest because it might be environmentally unsafe to support people driving lorries. I’m sorry, but this is a ridiculous motion.”

Countryside Alliance director of hunting Polly Portwin said the Alliance was pleased to see the “divisive and ill-advised motion” fall.

“Although it would have achieved nothing in reality, it would have wasted council time and resources which would clearly be better spent on helping the local community,” she said.

“We would like to thank our supporters in the Peterborough area for lobbying their representatives, as well as those councillors that took on board the points raised in our communication with them. Long may Peterborough be home to the Festival of Hunting.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Charities unite to urge Government to act on welfare — but concerns about Hunting Act point H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 14 May 2021 16:56:02 +0000

The group of leading welfare charities has created a report including 40 recommendations to benefit animal welfare. H&H finds out more, including views on a recommendation to strengthen the Hunting Act

FURTHER restrictions on firework use, licensing of sanctuaries and regulation of equestrian premises are among recommendations of a coalition urging the Government to act on animal welfare.

In an “unprecedented” move, 50 welfare charities have united in calls for lawmakers not to waste a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine our relationship with animals through a new animal health and welfare strategy”.

The group, which includes the Horse Trust, World Horse Welfare and Redwings, has published a report entitled Act now for Animals, which sets out its priorities for creating a society that “rebalances” the way we live and work with animals.

The paper, which states “no animal left behind”, sets out 40 recommendations. The hope is that it will help the Government create a new animal welfare strategy; the last such plan is 17 years old and the landscape has changed significantly in that time, bringing “new and urgent challenges”.

A key recommendation is that the new Government animal sentience committee must have “real teeth”, be independently chaired, comprise leading welfare experts and have the ability to “meaningfully hold ministers to account”.

Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys CEO Chris Wainwright said: “We all have a role to play in how we live alongside and create a better life for animals.

“It is absolutely vital that all animals are recognised as sentient beings, and that a rigorous approach to improving animal health and welfare is recognised not just for its benefit to them, but also for its connection to human health.”

Another recommendation is to ensure equine identification is “enforced effectively for the first time in 12 years”, by introducing a statutory obligation to enforce rules, requiring registration of equine premises and making both owner and keeper of a horse responsible for keeping the Government’s digital equine database up to date.

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said: “We are fast entering the last chance saloon to create a frictionless, digitised system for equine identification, something we have been highlighting for nearly a decade. This is a fundamental requirement for all other equine welfare legislation to work and we now finally have the opportunity to make this happen, if Government shows the political will.

“An effective equine ID system is also inextricably linked to the other vital piece of the jigsaw: effective enforcement, and this too will need the political will to ensure a realistic allocation of resources for local authorities to fulfil this role.”

The report highlights the fact National Equine Welfare Council members took in 186 equids from struggling sanctuaries or rescue centres in 2019, and that almost one in five equine vets dealt with firework-related injuries to a horse in 2018. Two recommendations are to introduce licensing and inspections of all sanctuaries in England and Wales, and to review fireworks legislation and fireworks’ impact on animal welfare, with a view to introducing further restrictions on use and sale.

Horse Trust CEO Jeanette Allen said: “There is no doubt we are stronger with one voice and this incredible collaborative effort could affect very real change to Government policy and future legislation that protects animals. The Horse Trust is very proud to have taken part and contributed our expertise.”

The report also recommends banning live export of horses for slaughter or fattening, and introducing a 12-hour journey limit for horses.

The final recommendation is for the Government to ensure that enforcement is a statutory obligation in any new laws, as “legislation is a glorified and costly piece of paper without enforcement, and a wasted piece of paper if it doesn’t deliver its objectives”.

Hunting concerns

CONCERNS have been raised about one section of the report put to the Government (see above).

One of the 50 groups involved in the coalition is the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) – and one recommendation is headed “strengthening the Hunting Act”.

The section states that trail hunting “provides cover for illegal hunting” and that “fox hunting is opposed by 85% of the public”, referring to a LACS-commissioned poll of 2,003 people.

The report says trail-hunting should be banned on Government-owned land, and an offence of recklessly hunting a wild animal should be introduced, with prison sentences and a liability provision to cover employers and landowners.

A Countryside Alliance spokesman told H&H: “LACS has spent the last 18 years making ridiculous claims about hunting, yet nearly every time it makes allegations to the police or a court, they are found to be false. There have been hundreds of thousands of days’ legal trail hunting since the Hunting Act came into force and only a handful of convictions relating to registered hunts.

“The figures presented by LACS cannot be taken at face value since they were compiled from LACS’ own ‘animal crimewatch service’, which often consists of dubious reports from alleged members of the public, as well as spurious evidence gathered from social media. Time and time again, this evidence is proven to paint a false picture of reality and lacks any appropriate context.”

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Countryside and firefighters unite in call for Government to ban sky lanterns

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:17:21 +0000

Leading figures from animal, farming, environment and insurance organisations are uniting with firefighters to call for the government to act now and ban sky lanterns.

A new coalition, comprising 18 bodies including the Countryside Alliance and the British Horse Society, has written to environment minister Rebecca Pow to “explain how the Government’s approach not to regulate sky lanterns is now significantly out of date, and out of line with other countries, where the release of sky lanterns is considered an environmental crime due to the harm they cause animals, habitats and the countryside”.

The organisations point out that by enacting section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act, the secretary of state can “prohibit or restrict the importation, use, supply or storage of injurious substances or articles, such as sky lanterns”.

So far, 152 councils have banned the release of sky lanterns on their property but with no national legislation, “the countryside and our farms remain unprotected”.

National Farmers Union deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “The global community is already recognising the dangers of sky lanterns. Countries like Australia, Brazil, and Germany already have national bans, and we must join them.

“This is a simple but incredibly effective and impactful step the Government can take towards a safer, cleaner and greener rural Britain. We wouldn’t light a naked flame in our home and walk away, so why would we send one into the air with no idea whose home or habitat it could eventually destroy?”

The National Fire Chiefs Council “fully supports” a ban, as sky lanterns have been proven to have started wildfires and property fires, killing and injuring animals and polluting the environment, as well as putting extra pressure on emergency services.

The RSPCA and Keep Britain Tidy are also among those calling for the ban.

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BHS safety team lead Des Payne said: “Sky lanterns can cause significant trauma and distress to horses and livestock. We strongly urge people not to use them.

“The pretty sight of a lantern in the sky is not worth the suffering animals can experience. As prey animals, horses can be terrified by sky lanterns looming above them and if one lands in their field, the wire can cause serious internal and external injuries.

“We have received more than 20 reports of harm caused by these lanterns – with horses dying or having to be euthanised in the worst cases. But this may be the tip of the iceberg as we know only one in 10 people report these incidents to us. The BHS encourages horse owners and farmers to be vigilant in checking their fields and hedgerows and report any incidents involving sky lanterns through our new app “Horse i” or on our website.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Fresh call to make pet theft specific offence in law

Lucy Elder — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:02:40 +0000

A renewed call for the Government to crack down on pet theft by making it a specific offence have been made following the return of five stolen basset hounds.

The two and a half couple hounds were stolen from the Westerby Bassets’ kennels in Leicestershire in February and were found this month. Arrests have been made and a police investigation continues.

The Countryside Alliance (CA), which has pushed to raise awareness of pet and working dog thefts in the past, has issued a fresh call for authorities to crack down on dog thieves.

Writing in his blog on Friday (9 April), CA chief executive Tim Bonner said the case highlights the issue at a time when a “huge rise in demand for pets” has resulted in their financial value increasing significantly.

“One proposal for tackling pet theft comes from Ipswich MP Tom Hunt who was previously with the Alliance,” he added.

“Tom is promoting proposals that the Government should make pet theft a specific offence which would allow judges to hand out two-year prison sentences.

“There is definitely logic in arguing that the impact of pet theft cannot simply be judged on the monetary value of the animal involved.

“Emotional attachment cannot be measured in pounds and pence and the most devastating part of pet theft is the removal of a much-loved animal from its family rather than the financial consequences of replacing it. We hope the Government thinks carefully about Tom’s proposal and considers any other policies to tackle the theft of dogs and other pets. In the meantime, please make sure that you keep your dogs safe.”

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The chair of the petitions committee has called the government's response ‘incredibly disappointing’

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In 2020, H&H reported on petitions and calls for pet theft to be a specific offence, which garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures and led to parliamentary debate, but resulted in no change to the law.

Mr Hunt then wrote to the Sentencing Council for England and Wales in February, lobbying them to amend sentencing guidelines for pet theft, which was rejected.

He raised the subject again in March, speaking during business questions to ask for a debate on pet theft, with a particular focus on increased sentencing, and is working with other MPs to push the issue further in parliament.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Charge over leaked webinars ‘will fail’, hunting bosses believe H&H Plus

Catherine Austen — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:02:13 +0000

The director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association has been charged under the Hunting Act in relation to leaked webinars on trail-hunting. H&H finds out why leading industry figures believe he will be cleared, or the case dropped before it gets to court

Lord Mancroft, the chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), has said that the prosecution of MFHA director Mark Hankinson for encouraging or assisting illegal hunting “will fail because Mark has done nothing wrong.”

Mr Hankinson has been charged with one count under the Hunting Act 2004 after Hunting Office webinars were leaked to ITV news by anti-hunt protesters.

This follows an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police into what was said by Hunting Office personnel during two trail-laying online webinars in August 2020.

Mr Hankinson, former master and huntsman of the Wilton, is due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 4 March.

A Hunting Office spokesman said: “The Hunting Office is very disappointed at the decision, and does not believe it is justified by the evidence. Hunts operate legally within the confines of the Hunting Act as has been evidenced by hundreds of thousands of days of legal hunting since it came into force. The notion that anybody is encouraging them to do otherwise is entirely unsustainable and we look forward to those who have been charged being cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Tim Bonner, CEO of the Countryside Alliance, said: “The Alliance works with the hunting associations to promote legal trail-hunting and exempt hunting under the Hunting Act. We have always been clear that however unjustified the legislation hunts must work within it. That remains the clear position of the hunting community and we are therefore confident that Mr Hankinson will be cleared in court.”

Lord Mancroft said the charge is part of a “political attack on us by the anti-hunting movement”.

He said: “We all need to be clear that this prosecution will fail because Mark has done nothing wrong, and that this is part of a political attack on us by the anti-hunting movement.

“It is clear that neither the police nor the Crown Prosecution Service could identify any substantive offences, that this charge has been cooked up and Mark is being used as a scapegoat, because they were unwilling to admit that we have done nothing wrong.

“The MFHA committee has quite rightly given its unqualified support to the director at what is a difficult time for him. He needs and deserves our full support, in exactly the same way that we support masters, huntsmen and others when they are the object of spurious allegations from anti-hunt activists. Everyone in our community must now rally round and give their support to Mark.

“As we know, the legal process is a long one, and the pandemic is causing even more delays, so this case is unlikely to come to court for some time. In the meantime, while there is no evidence beyond the webinars that can be used against Mark, our lawyers will be assembling further evidence and witnesses to support Mark’s case, which will be deployed to persuade the CPS either to drop their case, or to defeat it if it ever comes to court.”

Hunts’ hacked details leaked online by activists H&H Plus

Horse & Hound — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:43:57 +0000

Different hunts have been targeted by the anti-hunting group behind a website hosted in Iceland, on which personal contact details have been published. H&H finds out more, from those involved and affected

By Abigail Butcher

HUNTS are standing defiant following a spate of data breaches involving three different packs over the course of this month.

Last week, personal details including names, addresses and contact details of supporters and members of the New Forest Hounds and Cottesmore Hunt were published on a website run by an anti-hunting group. It follows the release of similar data from the Mendip Farmers’.

Police in Hampshire are investigating and have written to those identified as part of the leak advising them to review “online and home security” by changing passwords, reviewing privacy settings on all online accounts and so securing their digital footprint.

Hampshire Police has also recommended supporters “consider home security options including any outbuildings, kennels and/or stables”.

A spokesman for the New Forest Hounds said: “A hacking event has occurred. We have reported it to the relevant organisations. The police are actively investigating so we cannot comment further at present.”

The Cottesmore has reported the matter to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, which told H&H the incident is “currently being assessed by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.”

A spokesman for the Cottesmore said: “We hope those responsible will be punished appropriately as a result of this data breach, which highlights the purely vindictive nature of those behind this crime.”

One supporter whose details have been published said he is “concerned but not worried”.

“Anti-hunting groups have photographs of me going back to the 1980s, so I’m sure they have much more information on me than I know they have got, but I do wonder why they have this because I’m participating in a legal activity,” he said.

“They don’t have my consent to hold any of this information and I think it’s time these organisations were brought to account.”

The group behind the leaks is posting documents on a website hosted in Iceland, which has laws protecting freedom of speech.

Activist Jay Tiernan has previously acted as a spokesman for the group. He was found guilty of contempt of court in 2015 for harassing farmers during badger culls in breach of an injunction.

But new spokesman Ernie Goldman last week described his group’s publishing of information as a “tit-for-tat GDPR conflict”, seeking the removal of a central database on anti-hunt activists that he believes the Countryside Alliance and Hunting Office hold.

Mr Goldman said a prolonged campaign is planned, saying: “Some information is coming from within the hunting community, some from groups within the anti-hunting community and some we have no idea where it’s come from. [In other cases] we found everything we need online.”

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance (CA) said it retains video evidence of incidents of animal rights extremism and records of social media posts, which could be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

“Legal advice suggests this is entirely compliant with GDPR,” he added.

‘Causing upset’

CA chief executive Tim Bonner is robust in refuting claims that the information held contravenes GDPR, and that some of the information being published by activists came from within the hunting community.

He told H&H: “All this information [being posted by the anti-hunting group] has been accessed through illegal hacking activity targeting personal email accounts, and the claim that they’re being given access to this data [by individuals] within the hunting community is just another intent to cause upset and distress within hunts.

“What they’ve published is of no public interest to anyone – it’s harassment and intimidation.”

Mr Bonner said cybercrime is being used across all sectors of society, and cited a previous data hack of a National Farmers Union database around the time of the badger cull.

Both the CA and the Hunting Office have issued advice to packs and supporters across the country on how to tighten online security, but Mr Bonner said: “The simplest and most effective way to deal with this is to regularly change passwords.”

He added: “This is a significant and law-abiding part of the rural community and these attacks are completely unacceptable, but will not have any effect on the future of trail-hunting or other rural activities. People are determined they will carry on.”

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Hack out to help out, and support suicide prevention project

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 18:07:20 +0000

Hack out to help out is the message promoted by the trail-hunting community as lockdown ends, to raise funds and awareness for a suicide prevention project.

Hunts are encouraging their supporters and other riders to join the countrywide initiative, by riding five miles and donating £5 to the Tomorrow Project, using the hashtag #HackOut2HelpOut.

Quorn hunt joint secretary Nicola Housley came up with the idea.

“This year has been particularly difficult for huge numbers of people so it is wonderful to see the trail-hunting community pulling together to support those who are finding it particularly difficult and we hope that the funds we all raise can help to make a difference,” she said.

Countryside Alliance head of hunting Polly Portwin welcomed the fundraising idea, while reminding participants to abide by national and local coronavirus restrictions.

“We are delighted to support this initiative and want to encourage as many people as possible to donate after riding five miles — at their own pace and in their own time — either on their own or with friends,” she said.

“At this critical time we urge all those taking part to continue to be Covid-compliant by abiding by the relevant rules for the specific tier or country they live in.”

Tomorrow Project chief executive Caroline Harroe set up her scheme in 2012 in response to the high rate of suicide in her rural community.

“Prior to this there were few services responding to this critical need,” she said. “Since then we have grown in size and stature but at our core remains the commitment and drive to engage with rural and farming communities for whom mental health and suicide remain a real issue.

Continues below…

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Asked for his secret to long life, the 90-year-old said: “Good food, good health, good Lord and good friends.”

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Farewell to superstar hunting pony after 19 straight seasons

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“We know there are many issues impacting people in rural communities: seasonal roles, financial tensions, isolated working schedules and reduced access to services are just some of them.

“We will continue to work rurally. If you give us space, we will pop up a rural support shed and offer help; if you support us financially, we can help more people, and if you spread the word, we can hopefully reach the ears of someone that needs us.”

Anyone who does not have access to a horse or pony can walk, run or cycle the five miles, or just donate.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Horrific zoo fire sparks reminder of sky lantern dangers

Lucy Elder — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 13:27:52 +0000

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has renewed its call for tougher control over the use of sky lanterns following the devastating fire at a German zoo.

Investigators believe a sky lantern was the likely cause of the fire at Krefeld Zoo on 1 January, in which more than 30 animals died.

Sky lanterns have been behind horrific damage and injuries to horses, animals, wildlife and farms in the UK — both by igniting fires and the damage they cause when ingested by animals.

The CA is among the organisations, including the NFU, British Horse Society and RSPCA, which have long raised concerns about the real dangers sky lanterns pose and lobbied for more restrictions on their being released.

A number of local authorities have taken steps to ban their release on public land, including Wales, where it is banned to release sky lanterns on any council-owned land.

“While sky lanterns are used to create a spectacle in the sky, they are also a serious danger to the countryside, livestock and wildlife,” said Sarah Lee, head of policy at the CA.

“The horrendous news of the zoo fire in Germany, should remind us all of the very real threat they pose.

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“Drifting for miles they are a menace for farmers and landowners who frequently report sheep, cattle and horses being injured or even dying from eating the wire metal frames of the lanterns or being spooked by them, on top of the fire hazard they pose.

“Not only that, they are also a serious source of litter in the countryside. We urge people to think twice before letting them off and to consider the impact of them after they have left their hands.

“If people cannot act responsibly, then firmer action is needed from the government, which could well result in a ban.”

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Dressage for AP McCoy while Big Star and Valegro join parade of heroes at Cheltenham

Lucy Elder — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 10:02:55 +0000

Big Star, Valegro and Chilli Morning are set to make guest appearances at Cheltenham’s Countryside Day next month (15 November).

Sir AP McCoy will also be trying his hand at dressage in a lesson with London 2012 Olympic team gold and individual bronze medallist Laura Tomlinson.

The day is a fundraiser for the Countryside Alliance and also this year for Equestrian Team GBR, to raise money towards the expenses of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“I am very excited about giving AP a lesson on one of our homebred grand prix horses,” said Laura. “It should be very entertaining seeing how he handles a very different type of power to what he is used to!”

The demonstration will take place at 11.45am in the parade ring, ahead of the racing.

This is not Sir AP’s first foray into dressage at Cheltenham — in 2015, the 20-time champion jockey returned to the paddock for a lesson aboard Barolo with Charlotte Dujardin.

“I don’t think AP has cantered this slowly in his life before,” said Yogi Breisner at the time.

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AP McCoy turns his hand to dressage at Cheltenham

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Big Star back in the ring — with John Whitaker on board

I‘ thought I could show them all how it’s done!’

Multiple Olympic gold medal-winners Big Star and Valegro and 2015 Badminton victor Chilli Morning will be parading for fans.

They will be joined by dual Champion Chase winner Sprinter Sacre, one of the most successful and much-loved chasers of recent years, who completes the quartet of retired equine sporting heroes.

A silent auction, which will start on 26 October and run until 15 November, is expected to be one of the main fundraisers. This will include money can’t buy lots, donated by top British riders.

Gates open at 10.40am and racing starts at 12.30pm.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Fund admits it made a mistake in awarding cash to anti-hunting group

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 20:00:20 +0000

Calor Gas has admitted it made a mistake in giving £5,000 to the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) – and is in discussions over the future of the grant.

The Calor Rural Community Fund, an annual initiative open to countryside communities and organisations, awarded the cash to LACS for a wildlife sanctuary to act as an “educational hub”.

Yesterday (17 September), the Countryside Alliance asked supporters to email Calor in protest at its decision to give a grant to an organisation it claimed was “riddled by mismanagement” and “responsible for community division”.

When contacted by H&H yesterday afternoon, a spokesman for Calor said that although LACS’ application for funding had been made “in good faith”, it had since become apparent that it was not compliant with the scheme’s rules.

“As such, Calor has inadvertently committed an oversight by incorrectly applying the scheme rules on this occasion,” the spokesman said.

“We would like to emphasise that the fund has always been non-political in its nature and Calor regrets any offence this oversight has caused. The rural communities we serve are at the heart of our business and we would not intentionally act in a manner that would jeopardise these relationships.

“Our intent is to safely provide the energy needs for the homes and businesses in rural communities and not take a position on any of the complex issues affecting these areas. We will continue to develop the Calor Rural Community Fund and a thorough review of the due diligence process will be completed ahead of any further activity.”

Asked whether the money would be rescinded, the spokesman said it had been committed “some time ago”, and that Calor is in discussion with LACS over it.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: “The Countryside Alliance welcomes the decision to admit publicly that it was an ill-informed judgement call by Calor to grant this controversial and divisive group with funding.

“We sincerely hope that as the rules have not been complied with by their own admission, that the funding is either withdrawn or, if too late, returned and awarded to legitimate rural community projects. LACS is riddled by mismanagement and community division and evidently not a group that organisations such as Calor should be funding or associating with.”

A LACS spokesman declined to comment on whether it would return the money, as it had been awarded in error.

Deputy CEO Chris Luffingham said: “We submitted our application in good faith, and we are dismayed to see the level of vitriol levelled at Calor by a small section of the rural community that see the league as a threat and which can only recycle old, turgid and untrue accusations at our charity as a way to try to undermine the campaigning work we do to promote animal welfare.

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“Our education hub, in the heart of Exmoor, will be used to inspire local communities to come together through volunteering, to offer educational workshops, help them learn new skills and to increase their knowledge about the local wildlife, flora and fauna.”

In the past three years, the Calor Rural Community Fund has awarded £145,000 to projects from school playgrounds and village halls to scout facilities and educational projects.

This year’s scheme had more than 300 entries which were voted on by the public; those with the most votes went forward to an “impartial panel” which decided how the funding would be allocated.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

‘Entirely illogical’ plan to ban trail-hunting voted down

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 15 May 2019 16:55:41 +0000

Essex county councillors have voted against a motion calling for trail-hunting to be banned on council-owned land, after a “pointless and divisive” debate.

At a full council meeting yesterday (14 May) councillors voted down Lee Scordis’s motion to ban trail-hunting and exercising hounds on the public land.

As he proposed the motion, “This council notes that the hunting of wild animals with dogs is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies. This council therefore calls upon the cabinet not to allow any future trail-hunting and exercising of packs of foxhounds on Essex County Council land”, Cllr Scordis told colleagues trail-hunting is often used as a “guise to flout the law”.

The Labour councillor said in the most recent season, the League Against Cruel Sports had “had 282 reports of illegal hunting”, and that hunting of foxes had “rightly been banned”.

He also claimed 85% of the UK and 81% of people in rural areas are against foxhunting, although he did not cite the sources of these figures, and said he had been the victim of online abuse since he posted his motion on his Facebook page.

“I’ve been trolled by people from all over the UK, who have told others to complain about me to the council for ridiculous reasons,” he said. “I’ve been accused of being prejudiced and a bigot, by people who don’t know me. I’ve been called a ‘lefty whinger’ and: ‘keep your geeky snout out of business that doesn’t concern you’.

“Can I ask you to stand with the majority in the UK and support me in tightening the law?”

But in the debate, although Labour group leader Ivan Henderson backed Cllr Scordis, other speakers did not. Independent councillor Kerry Smith said the motion was “legally unsound”, as it “seeks to indirectly remove the right of the common man to use public rights of way”, while independent Jo Beavis pointed out that no huntsman in Essex has ever been questioned by police over illegal hunting issues, and that huntsmen were confused by the bringing of the “entirely illogical motion”, which was brought “without any serious reasons”.

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Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: “We are very pleased the council voted against a motion to ban the legal activities of trail-hunting and hound exercise. It is a great shame that councillors had to waste time on such a pointless and divisive debate, but we are very grateful that they rejected the proposal.

“Hunts in Essex have been hunting an artificial scent perfectly legally since the Hunting Act came into force in 2005. There are at least eight packs of hounds operating in the county yet none has ever been charged with a hunting offence, let alone convicted of one, so the suggestion that they are not hunting lawfully is completely unfounded.

“Hunting continues to attract support across Essex as people continue to enjoy following and watching hounds working in the countryside.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Council to consider banning trail-hunting on its land

Lucy Elder — Mon, 13 May 2019 12:12:57 +0000

A vote on whether trail-hunting should be banned on a local authority’s land is set to be held this week.

Councillor Lee Scordis, of Essex County Council, is proposing the motion at the full council meeting tomorrow (14 May).

The Countryside Alliance (CA) is urging people in Essex to contact their ward councillors and ask them to oppose the “draconian” motion.

Trail-hunting, where hounds follow a laid scent, is legal under the Hunting Act (2004).

But Cllr Scordis, seconded by Cllr Allan Davies, is calling for a ban on “any future trail hunting and exercising of packs of foxhounds on Essex County Council land”.

Cllr Scordis told H&H he is concerned trail-hunting is being used as a cover for illegal hunting and that he has received a “significant amount of abuse” from pro-hunting supporters since proposing the motion.

“We are concerned that trail hunting is being used as a guise by a minority to hunt foxes and hares,” he said.

“We have no issue with drag hunting. This is only a ban on county council land and will hopefully send a strong message that the rules need tightening up.”

Polly Portwin, head of hunting at the CA, told H&H there is “no justification for this motion other than pure prejudice”.

“There have been no prosecutions of hunts for illegal hunting in Essex since the Hunting Act was enforced, nor is there any evidence to suggest that Essex hunts break the law,” she said.

“It is ironic that it was the Labour Party, during the passage of the Hunting Act, that argued trail-hunting was a viable alternative to traditional forms of hunting, yet this Labour councillor is proposing to ban a perfectly legal activity that is enjoyed by thousands of Essex residents.”

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In a message to CA members, Tim Bonner stressed the importance of people lobbying their councillors after a recent vote to ban trail hunting on Nottinghamshire County Council land was won by one vote.

“We want to ensure that Essex county councillors fully understand the strength of feeling and support for these legal activities in order for them to vote against it, and therefore we urge you to contact your local councillor immediately asking them to oppose this motion,” he said.

He added suggested wording could include pointing out that the motion is “entirely illogical”.

“Trail-hunting and hound exercising are no different to any other legal activity like dog walking or drag hunting,” he said.

“To seek to ban lawful recreational activities on council land is draconian and unnecessary.

“No one, including the council, can give permission for an unlawful activity, without themselves committing an offence, and no council should be banning lawful activities, without very serious reasons and the motion provides no justification for the action being proposed.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Act now to protect your local Boxing Day meet

Lucy Elder — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 13:29:35 +0000

The Countryside Alliance (CA) is urging people to take action in support of their local Boxing Day meets.

The organisation is asking people to write to their local council leaders to express support for meets to continue in the heart of their communities.

The CA has warned targeted campaigns by anti-hunting organisations are putting meets at risk.

“Boxing Day meets are a special occasion in the hunting calendar, with hundreds of thousands of people turning out to support hunts throughout the festive period,” said Polly Portwin, head of hunting at the CA.

“It would be a travesty if councils denied those people who support local packs of hounds the opportunity to show their appreciation at meets this Boxing Day.

“We are asking people to act now to protect this annual spectacle by filling in our form to send a letter of support to their local council leaders.”

The CA stressed it is calling on everyone who wants to see meets continuing in these public places throughout the festive season to write to their councils. It has an automatic letter-generator on its website where people can enter their postcodes and send the pre-prepared letter directly to their local council leaders.

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“Many of these meets are supported by hundreds and even thousands of people from the local community, as well as those associated with their local packs of hounds, and the Countryside Alliance is asking everyone to add their voice to the campaign,” added a spokesman for the organisation.

“Sending the letter via the Countryside Alliance website will show support for those local councils that are being pressurised into cancelling their meets.

“Meeting in the middle of towns and villages often means meeting on council-owned or managed land, and the alliance is calling on everyone to support those councils that allow these events to take place.”

For more information and to view the letter generator, click here.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

8 equestrian charity calendars for 2019

Horse & Hound — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 12:24:15 +0000

Keep track of all your horsey appointments — and support a good cause — with one of these charity calendars for 2019.

1. World Horse Welfare

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Featuring a striking selection of World Horse Welfare horses and ponies, this calendar is professionally printed in full colour with a wire bound top to hang on your wall.

Price: £4.95

Telephone: 01953 498682

Visit: shop.worldhorsewelfare.org

2. The Injured Jockeys Fund

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

This calendar features 12 of the greatest living National Hunt and Flat jockeys, who have chosen their most memorable race or horse and explain in their own words why it means so much to them.

Price: £12

Telephone: 08080 453453

Visit: shop.ijf.org.uk

3. Redwings Horse Sanctuary

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Traditional calendar featuring images of the charity’s horses and donkeys from across the sanctuary.

Price: £6

Telephone: 01508 481000

Visit: redwings.org.uk

4. The Horse Trust

(Image credit: Lynn Hitchcox)

Featuring residents such as retired police horses Caesar, Rivington, Huntsman, Hadrian and military horse Captain Greatgun, and some of the other popular rescue residents and rural Shire horses.

Price: £8.99

Telephone: 01494 488464

Visit: helping-the-trust.horsetrust.org.uk

5. Countryside Alliance

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

This 2019 calendar features 12 evocative scenes capturing rural life. The rear of the calendar has a handy list of forthcoming events and festivals along with a useful table with the seasons for game and wildfowl.

Price: £9.99

Telephone: 0370 2709011

Visit: shop.countryside-alliance.org

6. The Moorland Mousie Trust

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

An A4 landscape month-to-view calendar which opens to A3 and features Exmoor ponies in the care of the Moorland Mousie Trust charity.

Price: £6

Telephone: 01398 323093

Visit: moorlandmousietrust.org.uk

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7. The Equine Grass Sickness Fund

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Larger than their usual calendar, it features images by artist Madeleine Juniper with a different equine image on every page.

Price: £9

Telephone: 0131 445 6257

Visit: grasssickness.org.uk

8. Bransby Horses

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Back by popular demand, this exclusive postcard calendar features residents at Bransby.

Price: £5.95

Telephone: 01427 788464

Visit: bransbyhorses.co.uk

Get a great £5 Amazon.co.uk gift card when you subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Always wanted to try hunting? Have a go during newcomers’ week

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:25:34 +0000

Each year, the Countryside Alliance‘s hunting newcomers’ week provides the ideal opportunity for those new to the sport to have a go. Newcomers’ week runs from 21-28 October this year with hunts from around the country putting on special meets and events to encourage people to get involved.

Last year, the week introduced hundreds of new people to trail hunting and hunting under the Act. Those hunts taking part are listed below.

H&H are planning coverage of the newcomers’ meets in 2 November issue. Please email pictures (you must have the permission of the photographer) and short stories about how you got on to catherine.austen@timeinc.com by 3pm on Sunday, 29 October.

Hunt: Curre & Llangibby Hunt

Event: Meet at 10am on Saturday 21 October at The Hall Inn, Gwehelog, Nr Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1RB

Contact: Charlotte Breese at charbre22@gmail.com

Hunt: Dunston HarriersEvent: Early morning meet on Saturday 21 OctoberContact: Please contact Hon Secretary Bridget McTear 07554 881588 for all details

Hunt: Hursley Hambledon Hunt

Event: Newcomers’ meet on Wednesday 25 October at 10am at Broomfield House, Southwick PO7 5SA

Contact: Helen Coker secretary@hursleyhambledon.com or visit www.hursleyhambledon.com

Hunt: Meynell & South Staffordshire Hunt

Event: Meet at Manor Farm, Caldwell DE12 6RS on Saturday 21 October and Penny’s Turn DE13 8BN (Scotch Hills Lane / Dunstall Rd crossroads) on Thursday 26 October. Plus The Deer Park, Hoar Cross DE13 8QR on Saturday 28 October

Contact: Rachael Morley on 07889 083194 or Louise Moore on 07803 778356 for further details and to book your place or more information is available on www.mssh.co.uk/newcomers-and-visitors

Hunt: North CotswoldEvent: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 28 OctoberContact: Emily Hoyles on 07794 138360 for further details

Hunt: South Dorset Hunt

Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 21 October at 10am

Contact: The Hon Secretary Louly Thornycroft at loulythornycroft@gmail.com for further details

Continued below…

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Hunt: Taunton Vale Foxhounds

Event: Newcomers’ meet on Monday 23 October

Contact: Jenny Parsons on 01823 680238 for further details

Hunt: The Premier Harrier Hunt Club

Event: Newcomers’ meet on Sunday 29 October at Cahir, Ireland

Contact: Please contact hunt secretary Susan Long on +353864108362 for further details

Hunt: The VWH

Event: Newcomers’ week from Saturday 21 October

Contact: Please contact Sophie Scruton MFH if you would like to come at rogerandsophie@mac.com

Don’t miss the Horse & Hound hunting special issue, out on Thursday 26 October

Hung parliament: what does the election mean for the equestrian world?

Lucy Elder — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:10:59 +0000

As the UK woke up to the news of a hung parliament this morning, questions of what it will mean for the country are at the forefront of people’s minds.

The equine industry, business rates, hunting, betting, the countryside and Brexit negotiations are just a snapshot of questions the equestrian world wants answering.

Mrs May’s plan to call an early election and secure a Tory stronghold have backfired, with the Conservative party not winning enough seats to form a majority. They needed a minimum of 326, but fell eight short and ended up with 12 fewer MPs overall than before the election.

The exit polls — for which voters are asked which party they voted for as they leave polling stations — proved correct in their prediction of a hung parliament.

At lunchtime today (9 June), news was breaking that the Conservatives had sought a partnership with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Theresa May will remain as Prime Minister.

The final seat numbers are as follows: Conservative, 318; Labour, 262; Scottish Nationalist Party, 35; Liberal Democrats, 12; DUP, 10; other parties, 13.

Yesterday’s election also had the highest turnout of voters in 25 years, with nearly 70% of Britons visiting the polling booths.

Alex Salmond, vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Racing and Bloodstock Industries Group and Scotland’s former first minister, was among the high-profile scalps of the night.

Early reactions

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told H&H that rural constituencies were about the “one area of stability” with very few changing hands.

“The failure of the Conservatives to hold on to the majority and the formation of a minority government with the DUP is going to make any political process complex and difficult,” he added.

“It means on Brexit, which is of profound importance to the country and the subsequent development of a British agricultural and land management policy, organisations like the Countryside Alliance are going to have to be on their mettle to make sure we get a deal that means businesses and communities in the countryside continue to thrive. The potential pitfalls are huge.”

He added it is “highly unlikely” that a minority government would be able to address some of the wildlife management issues, such as fox hunting, while the country’s political situation is so finely balanced.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Ross Murray said the result “adds further uncertainty to a period of significant upheaval”.

“The CLA’s top priority is the interests of the tens of thousands of farmers and other rural business owners that are getting on with their jobs today, while politicians manoeuvre and negotiate,” he said.

“We are ready to work with the new government to influence the big decisions that will shape the rural economy and rural communities.

“Immediate attention will inevitably be on the implications of this result for securing a Brexit deal that will work in the long-term interests of agriculture and the wider economy. We remain confident that the right deal can be done.

“However, the priorities extend well beyond Brexit. Our leaders have responsibility to work together to provide rural businesses the economic stability and confidence to grow and create jobs, as well as build the homes and infrastructure that rural communities need.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

‘The time has come to unite’: Countryside Alliance takes a stand over abuse

Lucy Elder — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 15:39:49 +0000

A Countryside Alliance (CA) campaign to put an end to online abuse and bullying in the countryside has reached more than a million people.

The organisation ran a two-week drive from the end of March until 14 April to push the message out to as many people as possible.

On Thursday (13 April) a message was sent out on social media by all 1,600 of the individuals and organisations that signed up to the campaign, with a total reach of 1.2 million people. The message read: “I stand against bullying of people in the countryside #reportonlineabuse”.

The CA is also calling for the following three actions:

Facebook community guidelines to be brought into line with Crown Prosecutions Service (CPS) legal guidelines governing online abuse
Facebook to respond to all complaints regarding reported comments within twenty-four hours
Those who set up pages on these [social media] platforms must be held to account for the content that appears

The initiative was sparked by two unpleasant recent incidents, involving horrific comments being posted on an anti-hunting page following the death of popular horsewoman Sue Webb, and death threats aimed at a Surrey vicar after he presided over a hound blessing.

“We are all for freedom of expression and robust debate but what we have seen over the past few months has been on a different level,” said CA chief executive Tim Bonner.

“Time and time again we are seeing death threats and harassment campaigns targeted at those in the countryside engaged in legal activities.

“Quite simply the time has come for all of those in the countryside to unite and take a stand against this kind of vile abuse.

“The problem with social media sites such as Facebook is that they are by their very nature ‘expansive’ meaning that bullying and abusive comments on social media get far more traction and have much more of an impact than they would do if they were simply communicated verbally.”

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The CA has written to Baroness Sheilds, minister for internet safety and security, and is demanding a meeting with Facebook.

“We have been moved to act by a number of troubling case studies,” added Mr Bonner, who cited the two mentioned above.

He added: “This month we learnt from a girl in her early 20s that she has been subjected to a year-long harassment campaign orchestrated by another well-known anti-hunting page, they went as far as to share of personal details on the page and contact her place of work.

“Facebook community standards that state Facebook is a ‘safe and welcoming environment’ are not worth the paper they are written on.

“Time and time again Facebook have failed to act with vile and abusive posts remaining online.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Hunt members consider appeal following guilty verdicts under Hunting Act

Lucy Elder — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:30:23 +0000

Three hunt members are considering an appeal after being found guilty of illegal hunting.

The Grove and Rufford Hunt members — who denied the charges — are seeking legal advice and are considering appealing the decision to a higher court.

The three-day trial at Mansfield Magistrates Court concluded today (Tuesday, 14 March).

This is the first time in more than two years that there has been a successful prosecution of a registered hunt under the 2004 Hunting Act.

Paul Larby, 57, was ordered to pay total costs of £1,848, including a fine of £800; Peter White, 57, was ordered to pay £853, including a £550 fine; and Jane Wright, 63, £448, including a fine of £180. The alleged incident took place on 30 January 2016 and the trio, who are all from Nottinghamshire, pleaded not guilty to offences under the Act.

Speaking after the trial had concluded, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said the organisation is “disappointed by the verdict”.

“These three individuals were of impeccable character and we believe that the evidence showed they were trail-hunting within the law,” he said.

“The activity is legal and they were aware that they were being photographed and filmed throughout the day.

“They had nothing to hide and were acting lawfully within the Hunting Act legislation.

“They will now take legal advice and may very well appeal the decision at a higher court.”

Equine industry calls for fair deal on business rates

Lucy Elder — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 06:56:31 +0000

The Countryside Alliance is the latest body to call for the government to go “back to the drawing board” on forthcoming changes to business rates.

H&H has reported the huge cost hikes many equestrian ventures will face in April, when the new rates come into force (news, 8 December and 12 January).

The British Horse Society (BHS) has taken the lead on campaigning for fair rates for equestrian businesses on behalf of the British Equestrian Federation’s member bodies.

It has written to every MP in England and Wales and has also sent its member livery yards and riding schools a “tool kit” with information on how they can challenge their rates.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) also recently spoke to H&H about the issue and stressed the need to raise awareness of how rates cut across rural businesses.

The news of the impact it will have on the equestrian world was picked up by the national papers this week, with the Times highlighting the issue on its front page (Monday, 23 January).

Tomorrow's front page: Punitive business rates threaten rural way of life #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/KCV1hvfp3E pic.twitter.com/vO76p7jArITomorrow's front page: Punitive business rates threaten rural way of life #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/KCV1hvfp3E pic.twitter.com/vO76p7jArI— The Times of London (@thetimes) January 22, 2017— The Times of London (@thetimes) January 22, 2017

What are business rates and who do they affect?

Business rates are a tax that companies in the UK must pay on their premises.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has recalculated these for the first time in seven years, with the new charges coming into force in April 2017.

It was revealed in the 2016 budget that small business rate relief — the threshold below which companies would not have to pay this tax — would be doubled from £6,000 to £12,000 from April 2017.

However, the dramatic change in valuations for some companies means this will not help.

The Countryside Alliance’s head of policy, Sarah Lee, said it is important the positive changes such as the changed to small business rate relief, are not undermined by the “flawed valuations”.

“Under the VOA’s revaluation many rural businesses who thought they would be receiving a rate relief now face dramatic increases in their tax bills,” she said.

“Unfortunately it would appear that many of these rates decisions have been drawn up behind a desk and are blind to the realities and needs of rural businesses.

“Far from being disadvantaged by the VOA’s revaluation, rural businesses require further support.

“We strongly advise the VOA and government ministers to go back to the drawing board and reconsider what is being proposed.”

Why is the change going to be so serious for equestrian businesses?

Business rates are calculated on a “bricks and mortar” basis, taking into account premises’ size and use.

As equestrian businesses, such as livery yards, competition centres and riding schools, need more space than an office, for example, they are being hit particularly hard.

The BHS has said some riding schools and livery yards are being hit with increases of 180% and a huge 365% in the southeast.

Nigel Taylor, of Washbrook Farm at Aston-le-Walls, told H&H recently that his rates have been estimated to increase from £12,500 to around £60,000 — which he is appealing.

“You cannot stick entry fees up any further and livery is at its limit,” he said.

“There is no incentive to improve the facilities and invest in business when [the government] does that to you.”

Article continues below…

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Meanwhile Simon Bates, of Keysoe, said his rates look set to go up by £10,000 a year — and pointed out the way the rates are calculated unfairly penalises businesses for offering facilities such as larger stables.

Rio Olympic dressage team silver medallist Fiona Bigwood is among those to call for the industry to have a fair deal.

“As a sport we are trying to get all different sorts of people involved in it and when the overhead tax is so high, it is wrong,” she said.

“You see so many yards and riding schools closing down because they cannot afford it; the price of lessons go up and the parents cannot afford it.”

What has the Valuation Office Agency said?

A VOA spokesman told H&H rateable values are based on an open market rental value on a fixed date, which was 1 April 2015.

“If those open market values have changed, then rateable values will change with them,” he said.

“Demand for high quality equestrian centres has increased since the last revaluation, and more comprehensive, robust rental evidence has ensured that our valuations in this sector are accurate.

“However, if a ratepayer believes the details we hold are incorrect then they can contact us with suggested amends. From 1 April they will have the option of formally challenging the valuation.”

She added that ratepayers whose business rates have increased by a large amount may be eligible for some rate relief.

Useful links:

BHS campaign

How to check and appeal your business rates

Valuation Office Agency’s rules for equestrian properties

CLA

Retired Grand National winner returns to victory at Aintree

Horse & Hound — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 10:16:30 +0000

Retired jockey Ryan Mania made a successful return to a racecourse on Sunday (23 October) when claiming victory in the charity race at Aintree.

The former Grand National winner teamed up with trainer Donald McCain — who along with his late father Ginger also has a great record at the Liverpool course — to land the 1m5f flat race on Lexi’s Boy.

“It was an incredible feeling to be back here and it brought back so many great memories,” exclaimed Ryan after his victory. “I’m just so grateful to both Donald McCain and Lexi’s Boy’s owner Tim Leslie for giving me the ride.”

Now joint-master and huntsman of the Berwickshire Hunt, Ryan lined up against eight other amateur jockeys — some race-riding for the first time — in the Countryside Alliance Charity Race.

Bloodstock agent David Redvers, joint-master of the Ledbury, claimed second place on board Chapter Seven, just easing out Molly Dingwall, who finished strongly to take third on the Gordon Elliott-trained Steady Major.

A number of the jockeys, including both Mania and Redvers, had worked incredibly hard to make the 12-stone weight.

“I’ve lost over a stone and a half since agreeing to take part,” explained Mania. “Although I miss the competitive — and winning — side of racing, the dieting and travelling for this one race reminded me just how difficult it was so I won’t be reapplying for my license.”

Molly Dingwall, who works for Aintree and won her first ever charity race back in May, was disappointed not to quite snatch second from Redvers: “He finished so strongly and I thought I had just done enough to catch up on the line.”

“Despite all the hard work, early mornings and aching muscles, it’s been well worth it after such a brilliant day — I can not thank my sponsors and supporters enough as well as the connections of my horse including Gordon Elliott and the Racing Club who provided me with my Irish raider.”

In addition to the race, a fundraising lunch and auction were held after the race where the jockeys returned to a heroes’ welcome.

“Thank you to Aintree for hosting the race and for all the support from those at the Countryside Alliance,” said eventer Tessa Dollar who was enjoying her first taste of race-riding. “We — the jockeys — provided the entertainment but the generous winning bidders in the auction really made it a very successful day.”

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Polly Portwin, H&H’s hunting editor, finisihed fifth riding Ferdy, a seven-year-old trained by local trainer Paul Green. “The whole day was incredible — we were made to feel like complete professionals and it was fantastic to be given the opportunity to ride around this course,” she said.

“Thank you to everybody who made it possible — every one of us that lined up at the start had been given a huge amount of help, advice and support from people involved in racing up and down the country, ensuring we were all well mounted and kitted out correctly with suitable horses and a little extra race-riding knowledge which helped us all to get home safely.”

The other jockeys taking part included joint-master and huntsman Richard Tyacke (Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s), Oliver Dale MFH (Ludlow) and Charles Clark MFH from the Holderness, as well as David O’Brien, the 2016 point-to-point season leading veteran and novice rider in the North West who hunts with the Cheshire.

Police powers to unmask hunt saboteurs used just once in past three years

Lucy Elder — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:19:41 +0000

Police powers to unmask violent hunt saboteurs have been used just once in the past three years, according to research by the Countryside Alliance (CA).

The organisation sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all police forces in England and Wales.

It asked how many authorisations under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act — which requires suspects of law breaking to remove disguises — were granted in each of the past three years.

Only 11 out of the 43 police forces were able to confirm they had used these powers in the last three years.

Out of these, only one force —Derbyshire Police — used the powers to police a hunt meeting where protesters wearing face coverings and balaclavas were present.

“In the past three years there have been a number of cases where hunt staff and supporters have been viciously attacked by animal rights activists wearing balaclavas, but no-one has ever been brought to justice for these crimes,” said the CA’s chief executive, Tim Bonner.

“Extremists know that wearing face coverings masks their identities and makes prosecution unlikely, and also that it intimidates those who they are protesting against.”

MPs are now pushing for the law to be made simpler to use.

An amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill, which is currently going through parliament, would make it easier for any police constable to require those they suspect of unlawful behaviour to remove items “concealing his identity”.

It has been tabled by Sir Edward Garnier, Tory MP for Hardborough, Oadby and Wigston.

“Individual police officers on the ground must have the authority to order the removal of face coverings exactly as they have the power of arrest,” added Mr Bonner.

“The government has an opportunity to address this anomaly in the Policing and Crime Bill and we hope that it addresses this blight on so many rural communities.”

Countryside Alliance chairman condemns trolls for online abuse after child’s death

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:00:21 +0000

The chairman of the Countryside Alliance has denounced the “vile abuse” posted online in response to a nine-year-old girl’s death.

Simon Hart MP condemned the “disgusting” trolls who made comments on social media about Bonamie Armitage, known as Bonnie, the young girl who died while following the Cotswold Hunt on 2 April.

Bonnie was kicked by another horse while riding her Shetland pony Lindsay and although she was airlifted to hospital, she died later that day.

Mr Hart wrote: “Despite wearing all the right kit, and the strenuous efforts of the emergency services, the kick she received from another horse proved fatal. The incredible bravery and good grace of her family have been the warmest tribute she could have ever wished for.

“Why am I repeating this? It seems that the media coverage of this tragic accident has triggered something which should concern us all. The social media reaction to the incident has included a steady stream of vile online bullying and abuse – too disgusting to repeat here – directed at Bonnie, her parents and pretty well anyone associated with her.

“The heartless trolls responsible for this abuse do so because Bonnie was following a hunt – it’s as simple as that.”

Mr Hart describes as “ironic” the fact that traditional hunting was banned before the nine-year-old was born, but that this appears “lost on” those making the negative comments, which H&H will not repeat.

He added: “The fact that they never miss a chance to lecture the rest of the nation on its lack of ‘compassion’ when it comes to animals does not seem to them remotely hypocritical as they pen their abuse of a mourning family.

“Presumably these people have sons or daughters, cousins, friends and relations, some of whom may ride a bike, get on a surf board, dive into the sea, or even ride a horse.

“Presumably they protect them as best as they can, but recognise that whilst risk can be managed it cannot be removed.

“So how would they react to bullying of this nature should a similar tragedy visit them?

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“Twenty years ago the views of these revolting animal rights trolls would never have been heard, but social media has provided a platform and outlet for their extraordinary assertion that those who have died whilst partaking in a legal activity (however distasteful some may find that) somehow deserved it.

“Perhaps we should be thankful though to be reminded what the nastier end of the animal rights community is really like, that it doesn’t care a jot about animals but is driven by a perverse hatred of fellow citizens which knows no bounds.”

Evidence heard as Animal Welfare Act review begins

Lucy Elder — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 15:10:52 +0000

Evidence is being heard in parliament today as the government begins its inquiry into the Animal Welfare Act.

A total of 240 submissions have been made by organisations — including the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, British Veterinary Association and the British Horseracing Authority.

The environment, food and rural affairs sub-committee is holding an oral evidence session, which started at 2.15pm this afternoon (Tuesday, 12 April).

This first inquiry looks at whether the Act is fit for purpose and focuses on domestic pets, including cats, dogs and horses.

Topics for discussion include the effectiveness of the Act, regulation surrounding the sale and advertising of pets as well as enforcement of current animal welfare legislation.

“The UK can have the best animal welfare laws in the world but they are useless if they are not enforced. The Animal Welfare Act is a good piece of legislation but horses are being failed by lack of resources and political will to enforce it,” states the opening of World Horse Welfare’s submission.

Among its recommendations is that enforcement is made a statutory responsibility for local authorities and that Trading Standards should train or recruit specialists in animal law to take on more prosecutions more effectively.

The British Horse Society (BHS) makes the point that horses cannot be considered domestic pets in the same way as a dog or a cat.

“Horses are more expensive to care for than other domestic pets and if a case involves multiple horses the costs involved will easily run into tens of thousands and beyond,” reads the BHS statement.

“Whilst it would be inappropriate to compromise confidentiality, we have certainly been made aware of cases where action has not been taken by local authorities simply due to the costs involved.

“The burden is thus passed to the charitable sector, who have no legal powers and limited funds.”

Its statement concludes by saying the BHS is “largely satisfied” with the existing welfare legislation, but would encourage research into licensing and inspection options as well as education.

Meanwhile, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has put forward the idea that a single agency, preferably a government-funded statutory body, should be set up as the primary enforcer.

“Under the Act there is no one agency that is held responsible or accountable for enforcement of animal welfare,” said deputy chief constable Gareth Pritchard, NPCC lead for dangerous dogs and companion animals.

“This means there are inconsistencies, however, the police, local authorities and animal welfare charities do seek to work together to deal with serious cruelty to animals.

He added that the NPCC welcomes the inquiry.

The RSPCA has responded to the NPCC’s suggestion, saying it brings private prosecutions as a means of carrying out its charitable purposes of preventing and suppressing cruelty to animals, for the public benefit.

A spokesman told H&H that its successful investigative and prosecution work saves the taxpayer an estimated £43million each year, with 796 defendants being convicted of 1,781 animal cruelty offences in 2015 — a success rate of 92.4%.

He added the RSPCA is responsible for more than 80% of proceedings under the Act.

“It has largely fallen to the RSPCA to ensure that the Animal Welfare Act is adequately enforced in relation to domestic animals,” he said.

“Local authority enforcement has, if anything, reduced further in the past few years. Whilst the RSPCA is not against statutory enforcement we wonder which public body has the expertise, experience and money needed to take this forward at a time when public spending is being cut.”

The charity revealed last July that it would no longer pursue those accused of illegal foxhunting through the courts.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told H&H the organisation welcomed the RSPCA’s decision to stop prosecuting hunting cases, but feels this does not go far enough.

He added he believes the RSPCA should pass all its cases to the CPS and police, rather than bringing private prosecutions.

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“The RSPCA’s multiple roles as investigator, prosecutor, lobbyist and fundraiser have been a great cause for concern for many years and we agree wholehearted with the NPCC, that the RSPCA should not be the prosecutor of first resort for the cases it brings,” said Mr Bonner.

“We do not believe that a new body needs to be set up to deal with animal welfare cases – the CPS was set up to asses and if necessary to prosecute crimes in England and Wales.

“There is no precedent for a distinct body to pursue a specific type of law-breaking.”

Boxing Day meets in pictures

Polly Portwin — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 17:31:28 +0000

H&H takes a look at some of your photographs from Boxing Day meets held across the country that were supported by over a quarter of a million people https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/wp-admin/profile.php

Fitzwilliam huntsman George Adams — who will retire at the end of this season — on the way to his final Boxing Day Meet at Stilton (picture courtesy of Claire Wright) (Image credit: Claire Wright)

A keen young follower out gets a helping hand with the Tanatside (picture courtesy of Sarah Hannah Bowker) (Image credit: Sarah Hannah Bowker)

The Dumfriesshire and Stewartry field looking out across some spectacular country during their Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Gordon Nicol) (Image credit: Gordon Nicol)

Hounds look on with interest during a festive moment at the Minehead Harrier’s kennels (Image credit: Abi Lewis)

A wet day in North Yorkshire didn’t deter Gemma Stanish, huntsman of the Claro Beagles, or her whippers-in from enjoying their Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Andrew Bloomfield) (Image credit: Andrew Bloomfield)

The Glamorgan hounds move off down Cowbridge High Street — with huntsman Jacky Thomas MFH (picture courtesy of Heather March) (Image credit: Heather March)

Four-year-old Paddy Finnegan and 27-year-old Polo take a moment to relax during a visit to the Grove and Rufford’s meet at Bawtry (picture courtesy of Rachel Finnegan) (Image credit: Rachel Finnegan)

Jonathan Gittoes leads hounds away from the meet in his first season as huntsman of the David Davies (picture courtesy of Jenna Sherrard) (Image credit: Jenna Sherrard)

A young huntsman of the future? From a hunting family, two-year-old William Staniland and Trevor make the most of every moment of their first Boxing Day meet with the Ludlow (picture courtesty of Katie Staniland) (Image credit: KATIE STANILAND)

Young followers and their smart ponies out with the South Notts where a large crowd congregated to show their support (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sisters Martha German (11) on Poppy and Felicity German (6) on 26-year-old Sugar Puff out with the Cheshire Forest where their father Andrew hunts the hounds (picture courtesy of Sonya German) (Image credit: SONYA GERMAN)

A special guest makes an appearance with the County Clare Hunt at Corofin, Co. Clare in Ireland (picture courtesy of Finbarr Keating) (Image credit: Finbarr Keating)

Robert Walker — a well-known face on the showing circuit — with his two-year-old daughter Izzy and son Sam riding up Tarporley High Street with the Cheshire Hunt (photo courtesy of Lynne Shore Photography) (Image credit: Lynne Shore Photography)

Huntsman Guy Allman leads the way through a very crowded Winslow High Street in his first season hunting the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase hounds (picture courtesy of David Bunn) (Image credit: DAVID BUNN)

Billy Hancock, the Banwen Miners longest serving master who is now the hunt chairman, leading the field from the Castle Hotel in Neath for their traditional Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Simon Rees) (Image credit: Simon Rees)

Tilly Rumens on her “elderly” Shetland Bobby who reportedly became “young again” when enjoying a day out with the Avon Vale Hunt at Lacock in Wiltshire (picture courtesy of Steve Parsons) (Image credit: Steve Parsons)

Young Arthur enjoys his day with the Duke of Beaufort’s where a huge crowd in excess of 6,000 gathered at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Glos (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Boxing Day meets as popular as ever

Polly Portwin — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 13:29:13 +0000

Over a quarter of a million people turned out to attend Boxing Day meets across the country

More than a quarter of a million people turned out to show their support for hunting at Boxing Day meets around the country yesterday (26 December), according to figures released by the Countryside Alliance (CA).

On one of the biggest days of the year for hunting, more than 300 packs in the UK held their traditional Boxing Day meets in towns, pubs or in areas where large numbers of people could congregate safely.

The Cottesmore Hunt’s annual meet that had been moved out of Oakham town centre due to health and safety concerns, proved to be “very well supported in the new venue of a large car park kindly provided by Rutland County Council.”

One of the largest turnouts of the day was for the Heythrop Hunt’s annual meet in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, where more than 6,000 people attended to see hounds in the Square.

The Glamorgan Hunt in south Wales saw people lining Cowbridge High Street as they left the meet to cheers and applause, scenes that were replicated across the country.

Pictured above is the Southdown and Eridge Hunt that met in Lewes, East Sussex (photograph courtesy of www.arwphotography.co.uk).

The Holcombe Harriers met in Anglezark, near Bolton, Lancs where over 100 people were mounted and in excess of 2,000 people supported on foot.

Joint-master Sue Simmons said: “We were delighted to be able to parade our hounds in this traditional meet on Boxing Day and for so many people to be there to show their appreciation of country sports.”

Although there were no cancellations due to frost or snow — as would usually be expected at this time of year — some meets were affected by above average rainfall and flooding that had taken place across the country.

The Hunting Act 2004 came into force in February 2005 however the CA and the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) continue to fight for repeal of the Act.

A spokesperson for the CA told H&H: “The Hunting Act has failed — not one hunt has been prosecuted in the last year and more than 94% of those convicted under the Act have not been related to activities of registered hunts, they have been for poaching or casual hunting offences.”

Proposals to change Hunting Act were legitimate, report finds

Lucy Elder — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:12:11 +0000

Proposals to vary the terms of exempt hunting within the Hunting Act 2004 were not an “unexpected use of the powers” of the Defra Secretary of State, a report has found.

Suggested amendments to the act were due to be debated by MPs in July.

However, they were shelved after Scottish National Party MPs reversed their previous decision not to vote on legislation that does not affect Scotland.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI), made up of a cross section of MPs and Peers, revealed its report on 23 October and the findings have been welcomed by the Countryside Alliance.

Statutory Instruments are used to amend, update or enforce existing laws.

The JCSI has the responsibility to report on all statutory instruments that come before Parliament to ensure that amendments made this way are a correct use of ministerial powers.

The report confirms that the statutory instrument is a legitimate use of the Secretary of State’s powers to alter exemptions to the ban to allow pest control.

The changes would have included removing the “two dog” limit and allowing the flushing and shooting of foxes using packs of hounds — providing it was “appropriate” for the terrain and carried out as “efficiently” as possible. These proposed changes would have brought England and Wales into line with the law in Scotland.

Traditional hunting would still have remained illegal as the requirement to shoot foxes as soon as possible after they have been found would have remained.

“The report from the joint committee confirms that the Secretary of State’s proposals were reasonable and sensible amendments to a bad law,” said Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance.

“Whilst this report will be little consolation to farmers, especially in the uplands, who are struggling to control the fox population and protect their livestock from predation, it does vindicate the Government’s attempt to respond to their legitimate concerns.

“The need for proper wildlife management legislation based on principle and evidence, rather than ignorance and bigotry, is as strong now as it ever has been.”

RSPCA to have prosecution powers investigated

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 09:15:27 +0000

The RSPCA is to have its prosecution powers investigated.

The Government’s environment and select committee announced yesterday (Tuesday, 22 September) that an inquiry would be forthcoming.

It will examine if the charity should be allowed to both investigate as well as prosecute animal welfare cases.

Neil Parish of the committee said it was important to ensure the “right cases” are taken to court,

“The RSPCA has a unique role in England and Wales as a charity which is the principal prosecutor of animal welfare offences,” said an RSPCA spokesman.

“It is a role the RSPCA has undertaken for over 190 years and it makes a vital contribution to the prevention of cruelty to animals.”

In 2014 the charity issued 82,746 welfare and advice notices, compared with 76,810 in 2013.

The number of people prosecuted which decreased from 1,548 in 2013 to 1,132 in 2014.

The RSPCA has said it would “welcome a parliamentary inquiry” into the way in which prosecutions are carried out by the charity.

“An inquiry would provide Parliamentarians with an opportunity to consider the implications of the independent review of the RSPCA’s prosecutions activity carried out last year by Stephen Wooler, the former Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Inspectorate, in which he concluded that the Society should continue its role as a prosecuting body and praised the charity for its ‘huge contribution to animal welfare’,” the spokesman added.

In July it was announced that the RSPCA would no longer pursue those accused of illegal foxhunting through the courts.

This decision followed the review by Mr Wooler, after the charity was accused of wasting funds and donations by prosecuting hunters for political reasons.

The report, carried out last year, made 33 recommendations on the charity’s investigation and prosecution activity.

One of the criticisms levelled at the RSPCA was the amount of money spent on prosecutions under the Hunting Act.

The Countryside Alliance’s Tim Bonner said: “We are very supportive of the good work the RSPCA does with abused and neglected animals. However, we believe the problems faced by the charity come back to it not properly separating its campaigning, investigation and prosecution activities.

“Our legal system has long recognised the problems inherent in one body having multiple roles.

“The RSPCA should continue to investigate cases of cruelty to animals but should not prosecute them in the courts when the CPS and local authorities already have a statutory duty to do so.

“We will respond to any consultation exercise carried out on this issue and look forward to the findings of the investigation.”

‘Rural Oscars’ now open for nominations

Caroline Bankes — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 06:35:55 +0000

The 2015 Countryside Alliance Awards or “Rural Oscars” are now open for public nominations.

The awards, which were set up to recognise and honour enterprising rural businesses, start regionally and end in a national championship held in Parliament in April 2016.

And equestrians are urged to nominate their favourite hard-working businesses.

Manchester-based tailor Alexander James of Pendlebury is a former national winner. Founded by Alan Little 35 years ago, the company makes bespoke hunt coats, side saddle habits and riding jackets in both the UK and US.

Dorset-based Mendit Rug and Tack, Acorn Saddlery in Devon (pictured) and feed merchants Dodson & Horrell are all former regional winners.

In 2012 hunting photographers Sarah Farnsworth and Kay Thompson were honoured as rural heroes for being outstanding rural businesswomen.

“We started the ‘Rural Oscars’ 11 years ago in order to give a voice and a platform to rural business. They are of course about our produce and communities, but more than that, they are about the people whose contribution to rural life and the rural economy can never be overstated,” said awards director Jill Grieve.

“These awards are a true celebration of rural life and businesses, so I urge everyone to get behind their businesses and help us shine a spotlight on their efforts,” she added.

There are four categories this year: local food & drink, The Daily Telegraph village shop/post office awards, butcher and tourism enterprise.

The country is divided into six regions for the awards: north, Midlands, east, south, south west and Wales.

Regional finalists will be declared in early 2016 with the winners going forward to the grand final judged by a national panel.

The Welsh winners will be announced at a reception in Cardiff Bay on 9 February, to which all regional finalists will be invited.

Scottish businesses are not eligible as the Scottish Countryside Alliance runs the devolved Scottish Rural Awards, which is an independent scheme.

Nominations can be made until 2 November at www.countryside-alliance.org

Countryside Alliance appoints new chief executive

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:56:45 +0000

Tim Bonner is to take up the role of chief executive at the Countryside Alliance (CA).

Sir Barney White-Spunner will be stepping down as the organisations executive chairman after three and a half years following the CA AGM in September. The board has appointed Tim to take charge when he leaves.

Tim said the appointment was a “huge honour and huge responsibility”.

“I am constantly aware of the hundreds of thousands of CA members and supporters who rely on us to give them a voice. The Alliance will always focus on the core political and campaigning work it does best, but must also change to face new challenges,” he added.

CA chairman, Lord Mancroft said that outgoing executive chairman Barney brought “much-needed stability” to the organisation.

“He has also wrestled with some of the most intractable issues facing the British countryside,” added Lord Mancroft.

“He leaves hunting in good heart — if a bit frustrated by the vagaries of the SNP — shooting in a much better place than he found it and a Government far more engaged on a range of rural issues than when he arrived. He has also started restructuring us so that we are fit to face the challenges of campaigning in the digital 21st century world. We are hugely grateful for his efforts.

“The Board was able to appoint an exceptional internal candidate in Tim Bonner who will provide continuity while pushing forward the evolution of the Alliance and its campaigns. We remain committed to providing a voice for rural minorities however controversial the issue, and the organisation must continue to adapt to maintain its influence in an ever-changing world.”

Barney added: “The Alliance has always been a most important body and it is becoming ever more so. In a world which sees issues primarily through an urban lens, it is vital that we have a vibrant organisation to speak up for those who live and work in the countryside and ensure that our interests are properly represented. This is as true of broadband and mobile phones, of proper local services and housing, as it is of hunting and shooting. They are all part of the complex whole that constitutes the rural community and its economy. It has been a great privilege to lead the Alliance and to be able to give something back to a world which has been so much a part of my life.”

Vote planned to make changes to the Hunting Act

Polly Portwin — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:04:24 +0000

The Conservative Government is planning a vote on making changes to the Hunting Act 2004.

Although no date has yet been confirmed, it is believed the vote is scheduled for Thursday 16 July.

The suggested changes would remove the two dog limit and permit the flushing and shooting of foxes using packs of hounds.

The Secretary of State for Defra has powers to vary the terms of exempt hunting by use of a Statutory Instrument (SI). An SI, such as that proposed to amend the Act, cannot be used to “defeat the purpose” of the original legislation and therefore traditional hunting would remain illegal.

If the vote is passed in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it would be implemented immediately, and would therefore affect hunting in the forthcoming season.

The proposed amendments to the Hunting Act in England and Wales would bring the law into line with Scotland.

At this stage, there is no discussion of a vote on repealing the Hunting Act, which still remains the aim of hunting organisations and supporters.

A spokesperson for the Countryside Alliance said: “This is a step forward and will mean that farmers and hunts will be able to use packs of hounds to find and shoot foxes. Traditional hunting will, though, remain illegal.

“These amendments will bring the law into line with Scotland and ensure that farmers are able to choose how to manage the fox population in the most effective and humane manner.

“We still believe that the Hunting Act needs to be scrapped, but in the circumstances these amendments meet the immediate needs of the rural community.

“These amendments will bring the law into line with Scotland and ensure that farmers are able to choose how to manage the fox population in the most effective and humane manner.

“There is solid support for hunting amongst MPs and we believe that there will be a majority for these logical, evidence-based changes.”

The Countryside Alliance is calling upon all hunting supporters to contact their MPs to make their views known on the subject and to support this amendment to the Act.

Countryside Alliance ‘confident’ hunt has not broken the law

Horse & Hound — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:36:06 +0000

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has told H&H it is “confident” that there is no connection between the Middleton Hunt and video footage of fox cubs being found in a barn in North Yorkshire.

A man was arrested after 16 fox cubs were found in the barn. He has since been released on police bail.

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) claims the cubs, who were between six and eight weeks old, were being reared by the hunt.

However, both the hunt and the Countryside Alliance refutes these claims.

Covertly filmed video footage, shot last month, shows a man entering a barn, which the activist group claims, is linked to the Middleton hunt in North Yorkshire. The activist group then released this footage to the press.

However, the CA’s director of campaigns, Tim Bonner, said: “The building concerned is neither owned nor leased by the Middleton hunt. The hunt has assisted the police with their inquiries and is very confident, as are we, that no one employed by or connected to it has committed any offence.”

Major Tim Easby, director of the Master of Fox Hounds Association (MFHA) told H&H: “This is a police matter and the hunt has offered its full cooperation. The MFHA is confident that no offences have been committed.”

The cubs were taken by the North Yorkshire Police on 31 May. The police are currently investigating the situation.

“Acting on intelligence, North Yorkshire Police officers conducted a search of an outbuilding, under the Animal Welfare Act,” said a police spokesman.

“Officers rescued the cubs and they are now being cared for in an animal sanctuary outside North Yorkshire.

“The foxes were being fed and had access to water, but police need further information as to how they got in the barn, why they were there, and who put them there.”

Tim Bonner: It’s time to stand up and be counted [H&H VIP]

Horse & Hound — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:55:03 +0000

The arguments against the Hunting Act 2004 are straightforward. There was never any justification for the ban in the first place and it was no more than a misplaced attack on the rural community by Labour MPs. It has done nothing for wild mammals or their welfare, and even Tony Blair has admitted it was one of his biggest mistakes.

There are many who are willing to voice their views on hunting from a position of total ignorance, but there is also a quiet army of us who know that the ban is wrong. That quiet army has a real commitment to hunting and to the countryside.

So much so that in 2002, more than 400,000 of us came from all over Britain to march on Westminster in opposition to the ban. Support for hunting is just as strong now.

Now, for the first time since the Hunting Act came into force in February 2005, we have a Government that has been elected with a manifesto commitment to a vote on the repeal the Hunting Act. We can be almost certain that ministers will bring forward proposals to lift the ban, but hunting has always been a free vote issue for MPs (rather than a whipped vote), so the focus now moves on to lobbying MPs to ensure we win.

We must stress three important points to those MPs. First, it is unacceptable that some hunt staff and masters are being dragged through the courts on the basis of vindictive allegations, while the rest are constantly looking over their shoulders.

Second, the police are being forced to waste thousands of hours investigating pointless Hunting Act allegations which could be spent tackling real crime; and third, that the courts are spending weeks sitting on senseless cases that, in the rare example of guilty verdicts, see people fined a few hundred pounds.

The current situation is not a fudge or a compromise. It is an unjustified and illiberal attack on a rural minority based on nothing other than prejudice.

We all want to see this issue resolved for good, but that must be on the basis of principle and evidence, not an irrational prohibition.

Our aim is simple: properly conducted hunting activity as conducted prior to 18 February 2005 should be legal, and no one hunting in a legitimate manner should be looking over their shoulder concerned about criminal prosecution. There can be no compromise on that.

Commitment of a community

Hunting has never shied away from debates about proper wild mammal welfare legislation and regulation. The Government is aware of this and we will look at any proposals it brings forward and discuss them with the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA).

In addition the CHA has developed a detailed proposal for self-regulation through a “Hunting Regulatory Authority” should that be required. There is a clear will to resolve this issue once and for all, and an understanding that just repealing the Act, while leaving a vacuum, would be unlikely to achieve that.

To help achieve a positive outcome for hunting and for our hunt staff, we need to act now. We need every single person who opposes the illiberal and illogical Hunting Act to contact their MP and let them know their views.

You can send an email to your MP from the Countryside Alliance website

(www.countryside-alliance.org), but please don’t stop there, encourage your friends and family to act as well. We need you to lobby and to write, and to join as members of the CA both to support our work financially, and to show the size and commitment of our community.

Together we can send the strongest possible message to Westminster that the Hunting Act must go.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 4 June 2015

Whipper-in’s spectacular fall crowned best tumble

Caroline Bankes — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:00:40 +0000

A photograph of an amateur whipper-in spectacularly crossing over a large ditch has been deemed the best tumble in the UK.

The picture of Sam Matthews has been crowned the winner of the inaugural Countryside Alliance (CA) Tumblers’ Club competition.

Hundreds of photographs were sent in from hunting photographers across the UK and Ireland for the competition.

Judges eventer Harry Meade, Alexandra Henton from H&H’s sister title, The Field, Henrietta Rutgers of the CA’s hunting campaign and Paul Graham from sponsors Pol Roger chose the winning shot.

It was taken by Ella Meadows at a joint meet of the Weston and Banwell Harriers with the Taunton Vale Harriers on 14 December 2014.

Sam is an amateur whipper-in with the Taunton Vale and was out on Banjo, a horse owned by the hunt’s joint-master Debbie Banwell.

“I might have been showing off a bit and when I was told the rhyne was a difficult jump I thought I’d give it a go,” said Sam.

“As you can see I took the bridle with me and from then on it’s a bit of a blur,” he admitted.

Both rider and the horse were fine after hitting the deck, but Sam was a little bruised.

Ella Meadows often follows the Weston and Banwell on a quad taking pictures of the day.

“I saw they were heading for the ditch so ran across to get into a good position. I managed to get a series of images of the fall, from Banjo getting into the ditch to Sam’s flip — it was quite impressive,” she recalls.

The CA’s Henrietta Rutgers said the judges felt the winning picture “embodied all that could happen out hunting”.

She said it was a “very close call” between the winner and runner-up’s photo but “we felt the winning photo captured the essence and challenges that hunting brings.”

The runner-up was Nollaig Hurley’s image of Colum O’Brian’s fall with the Kingdom Hunt Club; in third place was Paul Buddin’s picture of Edward Carter’s fall in the Bicester with Whaddon Chase country.

Graham Dixon’s picture of Roger Nixon and Adrian Cherry’s double whammy of tumblers David Cross and David Gilmore where highly commended.

The competition has been made an annual event, with winners — both tumbler and photographer — receiving a magnum of champagne.

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A spokesman for Mr Reed confirmed to H&H that he stood by these comments. The poll referred to was commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports in 2022.

Oliver Hughes, managing director of governing body the British Hound Sports Association, told H&H there are about 12,000 days of trail hunting in England and Wales each year, “with the vast majority taking place without any problems”.

“It simply isn’t true that rural voters want to ban trail hunting. On the contrary, trail hunting enjoys widespread popular support. You only have to look back to the Boxing Day meets to see the tens of thousands of people that turned out to support these, as they always do,” he said.

“Trail hunts do not pursue any wild animal and take place on land with the express permission of the landowner – so why would there be a desire to ban them?”

Mr Hughes added that there are “far more important matters” in rural communities that should be priorities for Labour, “not a culture war masquerading as an attempt to improve animal welfare”.

“Labour seems to have little understanding of country sports and of the rural communities that are involved, and has shown little desire to learn,” he said.

“So we would urge Steve Reed and other senior members of the Labour party to meet with us, before potentially destroying a traditional way of life enjoyed by tens of thousands of people in rural communities across the nation.”

“It will be opposed at every stage by the Alliance and the hunting community. There is a perception that Labour believes hunts are breaking the law, so they think this policy is justified,” he said.

“The single most pressing priority, therefore, is that the entire hunting community proves to the public, politicians and the police that trail hunting is a well-regulated activity which is conducted safely and within the law.”

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Lord Herbert recalled the “extraordinary sense of solidarity”, and the presence of people from all walks of life, all political persuasions, “united by one simple thing; the love of the countryside and, fundamentally, freedom – in the end, it was a march for freedom.”

Lord Herbert added that “the battleground” has changed, as have the threats, but there are also those in both Houses of Parliament fighting on the countryside’s behalf, as well as the Alliance, which is “needed now as much as ever”.

Countryside Alliance president Baroness Mallalieu said: “Anyone who was there on the march will never forget it.”

She also cited the Hyde Park rally five years before, citing one attendee who said, “I went in feeling small and came out feeling 10 feet tall because I realised we weren’t alone in our relatively isolated rural communities.”

“I remember Michael Howard and Michael Heseltine saying afterwards ‘For the first time, I know why we won the war,’” she said. “People from every background marching together for something we really cared about.”

She added that parliamentarians have since been “fighting a steady battle”, but that the effects of the Hunting Act are being seen.

“At the time, Labour had over 100 rural seats,” she said. “It’s now 17. It’s not possible to win a substantial majority without support from the rural communities.

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“Members of the hunt witnessed some shouting abuse at participants, who had come from across the local area to take part in the event.”

Cox was given a six-month conditional discharge by magistrates. As well as the £200 to the victim, she was ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

A spokesman for the Cottesmore said: “ We would like to extend our gratitude to Leicestershire Police for their professionalism throughout this ordeal. We are pleased with the outcome of this trial and believe justice has been delivered.”

He added: “Fun rides are an opportunity to welcome families from across the community to enjoy a day out in our beautiful countryside. We look forward to continuing these important events and watching them continue to grow in popularity.”

Polly Portwin, Director of the Countryside Alliance’s Campaign for Hunting said that although “animal rights extremist groups” such as those who targeted the fun ride are small in numbers, they can be “violent and abusive”.

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The Trust’s Harry Bowell said the board of trustees “carefully considered this issue”.

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