A new system of governance is planned for hunting, with the mantra: “Nothing less than excellent is acceptable”.

Master of Foxhounds Association chairman Andrew Osborne has updated members of the hunting community on the ongoing review on the sport’s governance, which was announced at the end of last year.

H&H reported that the review would look at the potential for a new governing body, so the community can “move forward to preserve, promote and protect the sport we all love” (news, 16 December).

In his update, Mr Osborne said three main areas of focus have been established so far.

“It has been suggested and widely accepted that the hunting associations should step back from the overall governance and supervision of hunting; instead, we are aiming to have two separate organisations,” he said.

These will be a governing body, responsible for governance of all hunting activities, and setting rules and standards, and a separate regulatory body to administer regulation and deal with any disciplinary matters.

The hunting associations will remain, but play no role in governance; there is “no expectation that hunts or individual members will have to pay additional fees overall”.

All hunts will be invited to join the governing body, which will be “inclusive and representative of the whole community”. Huntsmen and kennel-huntsmen will be members, as well as hunt officials, and hunts will be assessed and accredited to “validate the high standards of hunting activities in the field and animal welfare in hunt kennels”.

“We are focusing resources on more proactive and promotional public relations,” Mr Osborne said. Hunting activities, work in hunt kennels and the work of the hunting community should be communicated openly and clearly to the public and we are working on mechanisms to highlight all the environmental good hunts do and the positive impact they have in the countryside.

“Our mantra will continue to be ‘nothing less than excellent is acceptable’. With this in mind, our goal will be the protection, promotion and preservation of our core values, so we can continue to enjoy the sport we all love for many years to come.”

More details will be circulated in the near future, and the aim is to take the ideas to hunting association AGMs this summer so plans are in place for the start of next season.

Mr Osborne added: “If we get this right, the masters and huntsmen of today will be paving the way for a new generation to carry hunting on into a new era, hunting will continue to be an intrinsic part of the modern countryside and hounds will still be the glue that binds together so many rural communities.”

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A REVIEW of the governance of hunting will look at the potential for a new governing body, so the community can “move forward to preserve, promote and protect the sport we all love”.

Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) chairman Andrew Osborne has announced his intention to set up the review “as a matter of urgency”, to evaluate and make recommendations on the governance of hunting with hounds, and “the perception of hunting activities to make sure hunts are in a position to offer reassurance to landowners and other stakeholders that they are operating within the law”.

Mr Osborne referred to the leaking of a webinar on trail-hunting and the subsequent prosecution of former MFHA director Mark Hankinson for encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence under the Hunting Act.

“As all supporters of hunting know, the infiltration and subsequent misrepresentation of a trail-hunting webinar and the prosecution of a director has been used to try and cause great harm to our way of life,” he said.

“On behalf of all of the Hunting Office team, I would like to apologise to all hunts and members for the fallout that has resulted. Having taken over the chairmanship in June of this year, it has been extremely difficult to move forward with my fundamental goal of ensuring that our sport can continue in this ever-changing world.

“We have been working hard since then to plan the way forward.”

Mr Osborne said he has had meetings with more than 150 huntsmen to discuss the way forward.

“This has been extremely constructive and, being an ex-huntsman myself, we have been able to talk in detail about the challenges of hunting hounds in the 17 years since the Hunting Act came into force,” he said. “Since those initial meetings, I set up three consultation meetings in London where a broad swathe of people from the hunting world met to discuss the way forward. These meetings not only involved members of the MFHA, but also hunt chairmen, secretaries, subscribers from the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles, Masters of Basset Hounds Association, Masters of Deerhounds Association, Central Committee of Fell Packs, Countryside Alliance board members and a number of senior and junior hunt staff.

“The general consensus was that there is a need for change in the areas of hunting governance, and the perception of our hunting activities.”

Mr Osborne said the review will consider potential for a new governing body, which will “have authority and effective jurisdiction over its members, and ensure that the rules are appropriate, acceptable and enforceable”.

“I believe there will always be a role for the MFHA and the other hunting associations, but the new body should be separate from them,” he added.

“I believe that all hunts should be accredited members of this new organisation, as well as the masters and other hunt officials. I also think it is time to bring hunt staff into such a membership, so they are stakeholders too. One of hunting’s biggest assets is the many thousands of people who participate in our sport from all walks of life — it is time that we all played a part in the future of hunting with hounds.

“Hunting with hounds has always held a key role within the countryside and the management of that countryside, especially in the modern world. It is essential we do not lose sight of this core principle, and the review will look at how the hunting community can better explain and promote all the good it does in the countryside.

“I hope that the review panel will be able to report back to the hunting associations as soon as possible, at which point we can, with the approval of our members, act upon its recommendations and all move forward to preserve, promote and protect the sport we all love.”

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Two masters of the Quorn have been suspended from the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) for “bringing hunting into disrepute” following an enquiry into an incident on 18 March.

Hounds and three mounted hunt personnel were seen carrying out hound exercise on land owned by one of the masters concerned near Oakham in Rutland, during lockdown, and subsequently reported to the MFHA.

The MFHA has released a statement, which says: “Following the outcome of an enquiry into mounted hound exercise which took place on 18 March, two masters of the Quorn Hunt have been suspended from the MFHA.

“An enquiry held by an independent disciplinary panel of the MFHA concluded that although there was no evidence of any illegal activity, the actions of those involved had seriously damaged the reputation of hunting and had not been in line with the responsible way in which the hunting community has conducted itself during the Covid pandemic. As a result, one master has been suspended from the MFHA for two seasons while another has been suspended for a period of six months.

“The enquiry panel also made recommendations to the Quorn Hunt relating to the actions of hunt staff.”

Hunting Office director Alice Bowden said: “We are pleased to have dealt with this matter quickly and robustly. The MFHA enquiry panel worked efficiently and thoroughly to produce a clear report on their findings. The panel has given recommendations, which have been communicated to those involved and which we fully support.”

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The Hunting Office is the central organisation delegated to run the administrative, advisory and supervisory functions of the hunting associations, which are the governing bodies of the different types of hunting.

The MFHA is the governing body for registered packs of foxhounds that hunt within the law in England, Wales and Scotland. On behalf of the MFHA, the Hunting Office undertakes to run the administrative, advisory and supervisory functions and implement the governance of the hunting associations.

The MFHA has a number of accepted policies and documents in place, such as strict rules and codes of conduct, which give details of how hunts and hunting should be conducted. They have been written to promote standards of best practice in kennels and the field and to show the accountability of member packs.

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Plans have been outlined to enable autumn hunting to begin under Covid-19 guidance. H&H reports back from the recent Masters of Foxhounds Association’s online AGM...

The need for autumn hunting to start in a “responsible, respectful and Covid-secure manner” was emphasised by Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) chairman Lord Mancroft at the association’s recent online AGM.

Lord Mancroft said there was “no one template”, and that masters will have to decide for themselves when and exactly how to start. He added that hunts should “start hunting with great caution, and do not hesitate to change or even stop if you are not entirely comfortable with the way things are going.”

Kimblewick joint-master and huntsman, and H&H columnist, Andrew Sallis, who virtually attended the meeting, said should the easing of lockdown continue, the hunting community sees no reason hunting cannot resume, adhering to all guidance, as an outdoor activity that is socially distant in nature.

“If you can go bowling or to the cinema, or a pub, 30-odd people in open countryside, with permission and on horses, should be fine,” he told H&H. “The social side may have to be put on hold, but we generally feel there’s no good reason why not and many good reasons why we can; hunts are very much back in business.”

There is a new team at the Hunting Office this season; Mark Hankinson, Alice Bowden and Richard Tyacke replace Tim Easby and Lizzie Pinney.

Lord Mancroft highlighted that one of the focuses of the Hunting Office is to define clearly and communicate the roles of the hunting associations – the governing bodies for hunting, such as the MFHA, the Hunting Office, which is the administrative and supervisory arm, and the work they do with the Countryside Alliance, the political and campaigning organisation.

“While the Hunting Office will take over full responsibility for all our own communications, those of the MFHA and the Hunting Office, it will not engage in promotion or political defence of hunting, which the Countryside Alliance undertakes on our behalf,” said Lord Mancroft.

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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.”

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It is that time of year when new masters are getting their feet under the table as they nervously settle in before autumn hunting begins. Joining the mastership is a challenge in difficult times, but continuity is so important and finding good people is one of the hardest things packs of hounds have to achieve.

I can remember wondering if I was going to be up to it, but I had field-mastered on and off for the season before, and therefore was perhaps less nervous than some.

It is daunting to begin with and while many good people gave me advice, which helped hugely, it was Brian Perring — our senior master for many years — who came forward with the best suggestions.

He wrote down 10 points and said if you follow those you will not go too far wrong.

So for all you who are starting out in the job I hope they help you as much as they have me.

Brian Perring’s top 10 tips

1 Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted — the biggest problems for me have always come from the person you thought you should have warned but didn’t. You must get round to see everyone; you will get a gut feeling and learn to know who must be contacted and warned.

2 It may be stating the obvious, but the hunt is as good as its last visit. It is easy to think you should not have jumped into that field of cows, but it is the end of the season and you will not be back for seven months, and by then the farmer will have forgotten. I can assure you categorically that he will not. In fact, he never will forget. You must see him that night.

3 Never assume, never presume — if there is somewhere you are allowed to go for the first time in a long while and the land owner says it is fine only if you make sure the gate at the bottom of the drive is closed, make sure it is closed. Even with everything else you have to do, go and make sure, or send someone you trust completely.

4 Never be afraid to grovel — this you will find is a necessary part of the job. An MFH uses four words more than any others, “please”, “thank you” and “sorry”. Out of these, and depending where you hunt, “sorry” is perhaps used most. Never be afraid to grovel, and then grovel some more.

5 Personal cards will always be remembered — we may live in the age of the email, but there is no substitute for a hand-written card or letter saying thank you or sorry. It will be remembered and, although time consuming, it is worth it.

6 Summer visits — do your summer visiting and remember to find out the name of other family members.

7 Keep a black book of all your contacts in one place — be organised: file them meet by meet ensuring you don’t forget land owners, tenants, game keepers or pony paddock owners.

8 Learn subscribers’ names — debatably more important than hound names. Hunting couldn’t survive without landowners on one side and subscribers and members on the other.

9 Ring farmers in the evening to thank them and to prevent any issues getting out of hand. Solving a problem that night will save you an awful lot of time later.

10 Always remember — you are in the entertainment business, so entertain. Smile as much as possible; I am not good at this — apparently! Look as though you are having fun and the field will think they are as well. Although it can be stressful, it is supposed to be fun, and showing good sport to the field is what it is all about. Jumping 5ft hedges with a 6ft ditch away isn’t everyone’s idea of fun; jumping five or six 2ft rails with hounds running can be just as much fun for all the field.

There is one final thing that he didn’t write down. He said “leave your country in a better state than you received it and you will have succeeded…”

I do hope this has been helpful to some of you and I wish you luck for many seasons to come. If you can stay a minimum of five seasons it will help your hunt so much.

It is hard work, with no pay and many difficulties, but I can assure you that it is both a great honour and also the best fun, and if you are field mastering then I make you this bet: you will never want to go second again.

Richard’s column was first published in Horse & Hound magazine, 7 August 2014

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Over 50 files burnt, 10 preserved for posterity; the flotsam and jetsam of nine years at the helm of the Masters of Foxhounds Association [MFHA].

It represents a lot of paper and effort, covering subjects as far removed as hawks, breeding of dogs regulations in Wales, the global work of the opposition, a draft Hunting Regulatory Authority for the UK, ventilation in kennels, point-to-point racing and more.

Has it achieved anything? Yes and no. Disappointingly, we are no further ahead politically in our efforts to change the Hunting Act 2004.

But we have preserved the infrastructure of hunting — a framework that is operating satisfactorily and in a way in which we thought impossible in the dark days when the Hunting Act became law in 2005.

Furthermore, we have a happy and united ship, which is more than we can say for our opponents, LACS [League Against Cruel Sports] and the RSPCA.

The MFHA leadership has a charismatic and wise new chairman in Lord Mancroft, an experienced working peer. He will receive ample support — as did I — from his executive.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has a dream team that will successfully “manage” the change needed to adjust to modern lobbying and instant communication.

And the Council of Hunting Associations — drawn from the leadership of all “hunting with dogs” groups — works well as a debating chamber. It will put CA strategy for the future of hunting under the microscope and secure co-operation.

We have probably made insufficient efforts to open our windows to the

public — something we should have done since 1949.

We are told by the experts that 95% of the population could not care one way or another about hunting, let alone the more cerebral arguments that are fundamental to its defence: welfare of the quarry species and wildlife management. This is frustrating.

What does impress the public, especially those who have a hard time controlling one dog, is the skill of our huntsmen, who handle 20 couple of hounds or more.

The CA initiative of “Hounds to Towns” needs new life and support from all masters. They would do well to undertake a manageable schedule of public appearances throughout the summer months, with particular attention to having a “schools day” at the kennels. We have slipped behind on this essential PR work.

Under the same heading of winning public support, while most hunts take special care when they are operating near centres of the rural population, we must continue to ensure that members of our community follow that.

During my time of office, I have been stunned by the tenacity, courage and hard work of masters. Planning and executing a day in the field is five times the work it was when I retired from hunting the Heythrop in the late 1980s.

Many more people have to be alerted to the presence of hounds in the area; then there is all the paperwork required to confirm we are hunting within the law. But dedicated people are still willing to take the job on so that “regular service is maintained” for subscribers and supporters.

It is highly satisfactory that there are so many new recruits to the ranks of masters, staff and followers. This has added an extra element to the work of the hunting associations: teaching.

It is vital that skills in kennel and field, manners and dress codes are passed down the generations.

As I drove away from my ninth and last MFHA AGM as chairman, I was delighted that so many people had attended. But there were too many gaps in the ranks of young masters and amateur huntsmen.

The “old brigade” of MFHA executives is working through a process of handing on responsibility for our future to younger men and women. A high proportion of executive positions will soon be filled by some of the young amateurs.

The first Tuesday in June — the traditional date for the MFHA AGM — should be carved in stone in all our diaries.

Those who did not attend this year missed vital updates that cannot be reproduced on paper. There was also a fascinating presentation by Ian Coghill, chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust on shooting: a topic that affects every country in the land.

I have been so privileged to be allowed to lead the MFHA and to have a chance to put back so much of what hunting has given to me and my family.

Of one thing I am certain: hunting and hounds will continue to flourish.

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A presentation was made to chairman Stephen Lambert at the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) AGM earlier this month, as he steps down after 9 years.

Lord Mancroft, who takes on the role, praised Stephen for his unfailing dedication during his tenure.

The AGM was on 3 June at Cheltenham racecourse.

The Countryside Alliance’s Sir Barney White-Spunner reminded members of the importance of repealing the Hunting Act, while Ian Coghill, the chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust discussed ways in which hunting and shooting can continue to work together.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound on 19 June 2014.

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The Hunting Office has welcomed the news that two South Wales hunts are to merge — safeguarding the future of hunting in the area.

At the end of this season, the Llangeinor in Glamorgan will merge with the Pentyrch and will be called the Llangeinor Pentrych hunt.

The Pentyrch — which is currently a hunt club — has been severely affected by urbanisation, and was unable to sustain two meets a week.

“We have lost certain areas due to development and have been trying for a merger for the past three years,” said Pentrych secretary Rae Jones. “We have lots of support from our farmers and hunting community and this will open our country back up.”

Mair Hughes, wife of Llangeinor MFH Brian, added: “Our country borders geographically with theirs [the Pentyrch], so it was a natural progression. We’ve had a very positive meeting with their farmers, landowners and members and hope we can all kick on next season.”

Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), said the merger was “terrific news”.

“They’ve been proactive and got together after pressure had been building to make a solution that is sustainable for the future,” he said. “The MFHA is not against small hunts, because some are able to work very well, but what we want is proper, sustainable set-ups, like this one.”

The Llangeinor has about 200 subscribers, while the Pentyrch has around 20 members. Although the merger will not take place until 1 May 2014, the Llangeinor will hunt the Pentyrch country once a month during the season.

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Following a discussion at a meeting of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), the organisation is reissuing advice regarding headwear to members of hunt staff.

“We are going to re-examine our advice and reissue the advice notice first published in 2008, of which the key point is ‘Hunt staff should be given an unfettered choice as to whether they wear a Patey or a modern hat’,” said MFHA director Tim Easby.

“We carried out extensive tests on the Patey hat [in 2008], but I cannot comment on any other forms of hunting cap.”

At the recent inquest into the death of former Cattistock master Fiona Vigar (news, 29 August), the coroner highlighted the fact that she was not wearing “a crash hat or a protective form of hat”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (26 September, 2013)

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Time is running out for the Conservative high command to repay the rural community for its efforts in 2010, was the warning delivered to the Government at the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) AGM on 4 June.

Chairman Stephen Lambert told masters that “something positive needs to happen — and very soon”.

Mr Lambert was referring to the frustration felt by hunting people at a lack of tangible progress in Westminster. He reminded politicians that “the hunting world mobilises on the streets for one reason alone: to return a Government that will achieve repeal”.

But Mr Lambert also conveyed a message of commitment to hunting’s cause from Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and reminded members that hunting has more allies in Westminster than ever before.

His sentiments were echoed by Countryside Alliance (CA) executive chairman General Sir Barney White-Spunner, who reiterated that repeal remains integral to CA policy.

Mr Lambert congratulated masters’ efforts to record evidence of legal hunting on an ongoing basis throughout the season. And he commended members for their “courage, resilience, determination and sheer hard work” in difficult circumstances.

Despite a huge increase in surveillance, there has been no increase in prosecutions, he told masters. The Heythrop case (news, 20 December 2012) was an exception, but the RSPCA and its chief executive Gavin Grant sustained damaging publicity as a consequence.

Sir Barney also praised the vigilance of the hunting community and expressed hope that the RSPCA would revert to being “an animal welfare charity, rather than an animal rights organisation”.

Mr Lambert revealed that a review group set up to examine the future role of the MFHA recommend minor changes, but endorsed the current system. Mr Lambert will be replaced as chairman in June 2014 by former MFH and hereditary peer Lord Mancroft, commended as a passionate hunting man, skilled tactician and a charismatic leader.

• This news story was first published in H&H magazine, 13 June 2013 issue

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After a tough few seasons, a third of hunts have said they have “considered not running” a point-to-point, as it is just too big a financial risk.

Along with the annual ball, point-to-pointing used to be a hunt’s big fundraiser. But with the average cost of a meeting now £20,000 and only 30% of hunts making a profit of more than £5,000, they seem increasingly unviable.

The revelations emerged from a survey sent out last September by the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and the Point-to-Point Authority (PPA).

Of the 149 hunts that responded, 53 said a loss of revenue and lack of manpower, as well as increasing vet and doctor costs, meant they had questioned whether to host a meeting.

Charlie Moore of the Meynell and South Staffordshire said their committee had seriously considered packing in pointing.

“It is a very high financial risk for relatively low returns and we have a responsibility to our hunt; it can’t afford to pick up the tab,” he told H&H. “But we’ve looked at it ‘glass half full’ and will run until 2015, when we will review it again.”

The South Devon told H&H they have decided to call time on pointing after both their fixtures were cancelled this year.

“We’ve had the misfortune of bad weather, but with endlessly increasing costs, it was a complete no-brainer to stop. It’s incredibly disappointing,” said chairman Valerie Kemp.

Entries down, gates down

“People are much more mindful of their ‘leisure money’ today,” added Mrs Kemp. “Entries are down and gates are down.”

Tina Hayward of the North Norfolk agreed.

“How long we can all continue to hold point-to-points remains to be seen,” she said. “It is an awful lot of work for very little return nowadays. There are so many things people can do with their weekends.”

Many hunts told H&H that expectations, especially regarding the going, are growing.

“Pointing is now a semi-professional sport,” said Steven Astaire, a director of the PPA. “Twenty years ago you turned up and ran, now they analyse the ground. It’s good that standards are rising, but you have to be realistic.”

A ‘hardy sport’

But Lucy Tucker of the PPA said the results of the survey were as expected and that the “star” fixtures were thriving.

“The number of hunts that said they will no longer stage fixtures is very small,” she said. “But we understand it is hard work to run a point-to-point.”

She added that pointing is a “hardy sport”.

“The weather is a major player. But pointing picks itself up and kicks on,” she added.

There were 199 fixtures in the calendar this season — down from 206 last year — plus a 6.8% drop in horse registrations and a 10.8% drop in riders applying for licences.

H&H columnist Darren Edwards said the appetite for the sport is strong, but with entries down there should be a further reduction in fixtures. “No one wants to watch a walkover,” he pointed out.

What is being done?

Both the MFHA and PPA want to encourage hunts to hold meetings earlier in the season.

“Star fixtures” — such as those run over Easter and bank holidays — cost more to run compared with “unfashionable” winter dates. The PPA recently introduced a cash incentive to encourage hunts to stage fixtures before February and this will continue to run next season.

Stephen Lambert from the MFHA said a new guide for hunts — with advice on everything from medical cover to how to get the most out of sponsorship — will be sent out and seminars for new point-to-point secretaries will be held in September.

“The industry is in good heart, but we need to help hunts run successful meetings and make better use of the great knowledge we have,” he said.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (6 June 2013)

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A record 51 people took part in the recent new masters’ course, run by the Hunting Office to prepare them for the new season.

The day, held at Stratford racecourse on 27 April, covered issues from care of hounds and running a hunt country to media relations.

“There is more to being a master than ever before,” said Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA).

“With so many regulations and responsibilities, it is a potential minefield.”

But it was encouraging, he added, that interest was “at an all-time high”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (9 May 2013)

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The number of foxhound packs in Britain must be reduced by around 50 if hunting is to prosper, says Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA).

In an H&H interview to mark his retirement from the role next year, Mr Lambert says there are “too many packs operating on a small, overcrowded island” and the current total of 186 in England, Wales and Scotland needs to be dramatically reduced.

It is, he stresses, better to have a smaller number of larger packs with less pressure on country.

To read the exclusive interview with Stephen Lambert go to p78 of this week’s issue of H&H (25 April 2013)

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All hound puppies born in England and Wales will be microchipped from next year, ahead of what the Hunting Office believes is an imminent change in the law.

With the Welsh Assembly expected to make the microchipping of dogs compulsory – and Westminster likely to follow suit – the new chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), Tim Easby, says hunts are getting “ahead of the game“.

“What is happening in Wales is really aimed at puppy farming, but of course there is a spin-off for everybody else,” said Mr Easby.

And earlier this year, environment minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach hinted that the government could make microchipping compulsory in England, to encourage “responsible dog ownership“.

Mr Easby said it was important that hunt kennels were ready for the change.

“All puppies born from 2013 onwards will be microchipped,” he said. “I am hoping to link up with a company that will provide the training [for hunt staff to microchip] and the equipment.”

With more than 2,500 foxhound puppies born each year – plus harriers and beagles – chipping the young entry will be a considerable task.

But Zetland huntsman David Jukes, who hosted a recent demonstration at his kennels (pictured above), said the procedure was “very simple”.

“It is just like giving a jab to a hound,” he added.

“It’s inevitable this will come in so it’s good that the old hunting world is getting there first.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (14 June 2012)

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Hunting within the law is not enough – hunts must make sure they carefully record evidence of their legal activities.

That was the central message from this year’s Master of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) annual meeting (29 May) in the light of recent prosecutions and efforts by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) to step up its campaign against hunting.

Addressing the meeting at Cheltenham racecourse, MFHA chairman Stephen Lambert said: “The pace of our opponents’ endeavours has risen by several gears in the last few weeks.

Therefore we must ensure that at all times we have full evidence that we are hunting within the law.”

Three members of the Crawley and Horsham were convicted of Hunting Act offences last month, while the RSPCA issued 52 summonses against the Heythrop.

Meanwhile, LACS recently appointed an additional eight “investigations officers” – making a total of 10 – who will work in pairs around the country.

At the AGM – which was also addressed by Countryside Alliance chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner and Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Soames – Mr Lambert issued a stark warning to hunts.

“The RSPCA has adopted a scattergun approach [against the Heythrop],” he said. “This tactic could snowball unless hunts diligently keep daily records to demonstrate their legal activity with hounds.”

Masters were warned by Mr Lambert that covert camera operators have been at work in the majority of hunt countries, attempting to catch hunts out. And that covert surveillance is set to increase next season.

Louise Robertson of LACS told H&H that most of the investigations officers were ex-policemen or RSPCA inspectors.

“We have revamped our whole intelligence system and everything we do from now

on will be intelligence-led,” she said.

“They [the officers] won’t just pick a hunt we don’t like and go after it; they’ll go anywhere we’ve got intelligence that there is suspicious activity.”

But in his closing comments to the AGM, Mr Lambert urged hunts not to be disheartened by the heightened activity of antis.

“The all-out attack by the opposition gives us an opportunity to demonstrate what a ridiculous law this is,” he said.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (7 June 2012)

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Major Tim Easby takes over from Alastair Jackson as director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) on 1 May.

Major Easby is currently deputy director of the MFHA and has hunted the Middleton and West of Yore in his native Yorkshire.

Mr Jackson, a master of foxhounds for 24 years -with the South Dorset, Grafton and Cattistock – took over as director of the MFHA in 1997.

He will continue in his part-time role of chief executive of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (23 February 2012)

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Jim Paice attended the AGM of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) last week — the first time a Defra minister has done so in living memory.

MFHA members greeted Mr Paice warmly, as the MP for South-East Cambridgeshire and Minister of State for Defra reiterated the coalition government’s commitment to giving MPs a free vote on the repeal of the 2004 Hunting Act.

Though he gave no indication of timescale, the minister emphasised that if repeal is achieved, it must not mean “the turning back of the clock” to pre-ban hunting.

In line with that, MFHA chairman Stephen Lambert had just announced at the AGM in Cheltenham that Labour peer Lord Donoughue would be the first chairman of the Hunting Regulatory Authority (HRA) when it goes “live” post-repeal.

An independent body, the HRA aims to provide effective scrutiny for hunting, by ensuring a hearing for genuine complaints; administering justice fairly where rules are breached; and by promoting and protecting good practice.

Mr Lambert told the meeting: “Lord Donoughue is a highly distinguished politician and acknowledged as a champion of animal welfare and wildlife management.

“His presence as chairman of the HRA will reassure the media and public that by voting to repeal the Hunting Act, parliament will not be voting to turn the clock back.

“A strong system of independent regulation will be in place to ensure that hunting remains fully accountable and well managed.”

Mr Lambert thanked Charles Mann, his wife Chips and their Vote-OK team for their efforts in the lead up to the general election and said that Vote-OK’s work would continue.

“The organisation moves into a different phase, but its work must be sustained,” he said.

“There are by-elections for which we must prepare and we must be on the alert for a general election.”

He also urged masters to keep in contact with their local MPs, “particularly those who might not have won without us”, and to make sure that the topic of repeal remains current.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (17 June, ’10)

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Over 400 members of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) gave a standing ovation to shadow foreign secretary William Hague MP at their AGM in London on 9 June, after he repeated strongly the Conservative pledge to assist repeal of the hunting ban.

A general election has to take place within the next 12 months.

“A Conservative government will give parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote and in government time. This has been our position and it will remain our position,” said Mr Hague.

There was applause when Mr Hague slammed the act, saying: “The passage of the Hunting Act revealed that Labour MPs’ respect for the views of minorities only extended to those minorities whose views they could readily agree with.

“The result was a piece of legislation so deeply prejudiced and so ridiculously unworkable that its existence weakens and discredits the laws of the land.”

Mr Hague said some had questioned the need for repeal, but he believed this was a dangerous argument: “This is a bad law and bad laws should be repealed, not ignored.”

But he warned that repeal would depend on a majority Conservative government and all hunts should play their part to help get the party elected.

For this article in full, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (18 June, ’09)

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Latest hunting news

Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) director Alastair Jackson described a meeting last week with Thames Valley Police as “constructive”.

The meeting, between Mr Jackson and head of hunt policing for Thames Valley, Superintendent Graham Bell, took place on 24 April, after five requests from the MFHA.

Countryside Alliance (CA) communications director Tim Bonner was also present.

Mr Jackson said: “We were given assurances by Thames Valley about the policing of hunting and will work with them to improve co-operation between police and hunts.”

The relationship between Thames Valley and local hunts has been strained this season, fuelled by claims the force did nothing to stop anti-hunt groups using a gyrocopter for “monitoring” the Heythrop and Warwickshire in March despite repeated complaints from the hunts (news, 19 March).

At the same time, it emerged that Thames Valley had undergone “training” with the

League Against Cruel Sports and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) — a subject Supt Bell has refused to comment on to H&H.

But Mr Jackson said the meeting gave “an opportunity to explain the concerns of hunts operating in the Thames Valley area, and for the police to explain the difficulties they face in relation to policing animal rights activity”.

Mr Bonner said CA chairman Kate Hoey is due to meet with Assistant Chief Constable Brian Langston on 7 May.

“The CA and MFHA will be discussing everything with Thames Valley hunts after Ms Hoey’s meeting,” he told H&H.

This month it also emerged that Cumbria police trained with IFAW. Ms Hoey has written twice to Craig Mackey, the chief constable of Cumbria, but no meeting has yet been arranged.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (30 April, ’09)

Read more hunting news

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The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and Countryside Alliance (CA) has dismissed as “second-class, emotional journalism” a BBC investigation that followed monitors trailing the Heythrop hunt.

BBC’s Inside Out programme on Good Friday followed Penny Little and Judy Gilbert while they “monitored” the Heythrop over four weekends last month.

MFHA chairman Stephen Lambert told H&H: “At one point, a fox was pictured running towards hounds, with the monitors trying to allege that hunting with intent was taking place. How you can hunt a fox when it’s running towards hounds, I don’t know.”

CA spokesman Tim Bonner said the BBC showed the hunt laying and following a trail, and an emotional outburst by monitors.

He said: “There’s no evidence to support any allegations — which the Heythrop deny.”

Gloucestershire police could not confirm that an investigation was taking place, despite reports in local papers that it was.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (27 March, ’08)

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The Hunting Office has a new home. The Masters of Foxhounds Association was based in the Old School in Bagendon, Gloucestershire, for 35 years, before amalgamating with other hunting associations to form the Hunting Office in 2005. Last week, the office moved three miles down the road to larger premises in Daglingworth, on the edge of the Bathurst Estate.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 February, ’08)

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Edmund Vestey, former chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), has died of cancer aged 75. He was the third-generation leader of the Vestey business empire, which amassed a colossal fortune in the integrated meat trade.

As master of the Thurlow hunt for the past 41 years, and MFHA chairman from 1992-95, he was committed to country life and a vehement opponent of the hunting ban. He had extensive estates in East Anglia and Scotland, and commuted daily to London from his Suffolk home.

His wife, Anne, died last year. He leaves behind four sons. An obituary will appear in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (6 December)

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A new system of self-regulation for hunting was announced at the AGM of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) last Tuesday (5 June, ’07).

Stephen Lambert, MFHA chairman, said hunting’s political allies in Westminster had stated that each of Britain’s diverse hunting associations must have an open and effective system of self-regulation, underpinned by proper training of masters and staff, thus ensuring their competency.

Under the new system — which should be in place before the next general election — all the associations, including the MFHA, would remain responsible for their own rules and codes of conduct, and for enforcing them in a more systematic manner than at present.

Each would hold its own initial enquiries and disciplinary hearings when required. Once completed, the findings would be forwarded to an independent regulator, or small panel of regulators, who would review each case, with the power to increase or reduce penalties, suspend individuals or hunts or hear appeals.

The regulator would have the power to require a hunting association to hold an enquiry if there were reasonable evidence of wrongdoing from a third party.

The MFHA has already started structured seminars and teaching days for masters and hunt staff (news, 5 April), and Mr Lambert stressed that education was vital to hunting’s survival.

Read this news story in full in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 June, ’07)

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Young and newly appointed masters and whippers-in will get a higher level of training in the future.

The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) is running one-day training courses in April and May to give younger hunt staff guidance in handling the field and hounds under present legislation. A government-funded NVQ is also being piloted.

“Staff do not move up the ladder like they used to, as there are far fewer people employed full-time in hunting,” explained MFHA director Alastair Jackson. “It’s up to us to put regulations and training in place to make hunting acceptable to the modern world.”

The courses are part of a new directive to make hunting more professional.

Previously, a huntsman would have been in the profession of whipper-in for some years before moving up, but now the progression is much quicker. It is the same for masters.

“In years past, masters tended to have a wider knowledge of hunting than is sometimes the case now. There’s not as much knowledge being passed down as people move up the ranks,” said Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA).

“The training courses are a taste of what’s to come. In time, the courses will become more structured and will take place over several days. They will be module-based and have some kind of accreditation,” added Mr Jackson.

As well as the MFHA’s own courses, a national vocational qualification (NVQ) for hunt staff, funded by the government through the Learning and Skills Council, is being piloted.

The “Animal Care General Route” course is run by Haddon Training Ltd in Marlborough and can be undertaken by hunt staff as they carry out their jobs. Qualification is gained on a continual assessment basis by teachers with a background in hunting.

The MFHA’s one-day whippers-in courses take place 19 May at the Bedale hunt kennels and 20 May at the Worcestershire kennels.

The one-day masters’ courses will be held on 28 April at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and 29 April at the Golden Fleece Hotel, Thirsk.

For more information, contact the MFHA (tel: 01285 831470).

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (5 April, ’07)

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