A relaxation of DEFRA’s restrictions on hunting in England and Wales see an end to disinfectant procedures
Hunting restrictions in England and Wales have been substantially relaxed from the 11 February, according to The Masters of Foxhounds Association.
The reduction in restrictions allows deer hunting, which had been banned under DEFRA’s FMD order, to restart.
Hunts will continue to operate under temporary individual permits, and the buffer zone around Form A and D farms has been reduced from eight to 3km. Secretaries must agree in writing with the Divisional Veterinary Officer that arrangements will ensure hunting won’t violate the 3km buffer zone.
Certificates of compliance and maps of the area covered are no longer required. Participants are no longer required to disinfect themselves or their vehicles, unless the vehicle has been used to carry a susceptible species.
Alastair Jackson, secretary of the MFHA, said: “We welcome the relaxation of FMD controls for hunting; it is a further step towards normality.”
Read full story in this week’s Horse & Hound (14 February 2002) or click here to subscribe.
