Demo to save fox hunting (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Demo to save fox hunting

MOUNTED hunt supporters surrounded by hounds picketed Government offices in Gloucester to signal the start of their so-called 'summer of discontent'.

Around 200 placard-waving supporters from 12 hunts across the South-West dressed in colourful hunting attire for the protest at the regional office of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

During Friday's demonstration, a letter was handed in for Alun Michael MP, minister for rural affairs, warning him of the level of anger felt in the countryside over the Government's plans to ban hunting.

Similar events were repeated at DEFRA's 13 other regional offices and at its London headquarters.

Part of the letter was read out, which said: "We are united in our determination to oppose any ban of any existing form of hunting with dogs.

"We, the representative from the 10 packs of foxhounds, seven packs of beagles and terriermen, hare coursers and gun dog handlers from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are law abiding country folk with no desire to inconvenience the public or the police."

Captain Ian Farquhar, a joint master with the Beaufort Hunt, said: "The message explains why we believe hunting is a humane and effective method of pest control as well as being an important and integral part of rural life."

Robert Hall, a farrier from Oaksey, near Malmesbury, said: "If you want to know what would happen to my livelihood if they banned hunting - I wouldn't have one, two-thirds of my business is from hunting."

Julian Barnfield, a joint master with the Andoversford-based Cotswold Hunt said: "I believe fox hunting is a vital part of country life. "I would lose my home, my work and my life."

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, who handed a letter into DEFRA's headquarters, said: "Rural Britain has today come together to warn the Government that it would be foolish to ignore the scale and depth of distrust and anger rural people feel at this moment."

However, Paul Richardson, of Cirencester Animal Rights, said hunting was cruel, had no effect on fox numbers and should be banned. "What hunt supporters don't mention is that hunting is cruel, all they are concerned about is their sport," he said.

"Over the years I've seen many foxes killed and it isn't quick and humane. The fox screams as it's caught by the hounds and torn apart."

Last month, the Government outlined plans to ban hunting and announced there would be six-months of consultation on the issue.

The Countryside Alliance is planning numerous events over the summer in support of hunting, which could include a giant protest march in London.