The announcement by the Government of their Animal Welfare Strategy for England, which included their commitment to ban trail hunting, seems to have caught some in the hunting community by surprise, despite the fact that a ban on trail hunting was a Labour election manifesto commitment
The strategy paper, all 48 pages, offers a more strategic approach rather than piecemeal legislation, which presumably means an all-encompassing Bill to go before Parliament.
It will affect farming, shooting and fishing, equestrian centres, as well as dog and cat owners and the veterinary profession.
That means that consultation on the many issues raised in the Strategy document, as well as the drafting of any proposed legislation, will take some time.
The details on trail hunting include a proposal for a ban on animal-based scents and the lifting and dropping of the trail. The strategy paper includes many proposals apart from a ban on trail hunting !
Included is the end of the use of snare traps, proposals on puppy smuggling and puppy farming, options for reform of veterinary practices affecting the keeping of over 10 million dogs and 10 million cats in the UK, and consultation on the use of electric shock collars.
In addition, consultations are proposed on domestic rescue and rehoming, and training for responsible dog ownership; a review of the licensing regime for horses in riding establishments; and a proposed closed season for hares, with possible actions affecting rules for pigs, hens and lambs.
Plans are presented for the humane slaughter of farmed fish so that they avoid pain, distress or suffering. Pressure in Parliament will be out to widen the scope to include sport fishing such as fly fishing, spinning and bait fishing. Also included is the review of guidance on killing decapods — lobsters and crabs.
Nothing about slaughtering un-stunned large mammals by cutting the throat whilst suspended and clearly in terror. ie Halal and Kosher.
Included is the consideration of the existing protections for gamebirds that are bred and reared under controlled conditions for release for sport shooting, together with birds caught up for breeding purposes.
The paper states that DEFRA wishes to improve its understanding of how gamebirds are reared in the gamebird sector through issuing a call for evidence — the first step to a licensing system being imposed on shooting.
The Strategy document is dangerous to all field sports but is a muddle and a mess. It will bring us all in field sports together to fight unfair and unjust legislation.
