MP celebrates five-year anniversary of the Fox Hunting Ban

Monday, 23, Nov 2009 12:00

Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, was delighted to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Fox Hunting Ban with Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn.

Since the Fox-Hunting Bill received Royal Assent, ending the cruel practice of hunting with dogs, dozens of prosecutions have been brought under the Act, showing that this ban is making a real difference.

Andrew Miller said:

“Five years ago, the ban on hunting with hounds became law. I was proud to vote for it when it went through the House of Commons and I am proud that the Labour Party helped to ban hunting with dogs. Not only is the ban making a difference, but it also supported by the overwhelming majority of the British public.

“David Cameron spoke up for fox-hunting in his maiden speech, and I find it unbelievable that the Conservatives have pledged to make getting rid of the fox-hunting ban a priority if they were to win the next election. With all the challenges the world is currently facing, this just doesn’t make sense. I am therefore urging the people of Ellesmere Port and Neston to sign the on-line petition at www.backtheban.com to help protect the ban.

“It is clear that the majority of people want the ban to continue. According to the results of an Ipsos Mori poll last month, three quarters of people do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again and there is no evidence that the doom-laden predictions for rural communities that hunt campaigners made have materialised.

“But the Hunting Act remains under threat because the Conservative Party has made it clear they want to get rid of it as soon as possible. I hope my constituents will make their voices heard and help keep this barbaric practice banned.”