Pro-hunt protests are under way across Britain today as hundreds
joined meets in defiance of the Hunting Bill that proposes to outlaw or severely restrict the practice of fox-hunting.
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Mr Jack Straw -
expected to oppose hunting ban |
Pro-hunt protests are under way across Britain today as hundreds joined meets in defiance of the Hunting Bill that proposes to outlaw or severely restrict the practice of fox-hunting.
MPs will vote in the House of Commons on the matter later today and are expected to back a total ban.
Labour MPs - mainly from urban constituencies - seem likely to opt overwhelmingly for a total ban though they have two other options that would allow hunting to continue but with more controls.
More than a thousand people were taking part in a protest at Builth Wells, mid Wales, as MPs prepared to vote.
Mr Julian Salmon, Wales Director of the Country Landowners and Business Association, said a ban would be unenforceable. Mr Mark Hinge of the Countryside Alliance said: “Hundreds of people are willing to go to prison over this issue. It would be impossible to ban hunting.''
More than 360 huntsmen left from the Royal Welsh showground in Builth Wells. The huntsman in charge David Jones said: “This government has pushed us into this corner if they push us any further they will have a bigger fight on their hands.''
He added that the ban on hunting was “being thought up by urban MPs who cannot look after their cities so why do they have to interfere in the countryside''.
Meanwhile, animal welfare groups were hoping that Prime Minister Tony Blair would vote for a ban, during the Committee stage of the Bill. A Downing Street spokesman said last week: "If he's here for the vote, he will vote for a ban."
But Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw is expected to vote for hunting to continue, as are the majority of peers when the Bill goes to the Lords.
Labour peers opposing a hunting ban include writer and broadcaster Mr Melvyn Bragg and Baroness Mallalieu, president of the Countryside Alliance.
PA