Newsdesk

BAN HUNTING FOR GOOD!

6th November 2003

East Kent Green Party supports a hunting ban. The Green Party remains the only party to have introduced an Animal Rights Manifesto to campaign for an end to cruel and abusive treatment of animals (1). Vigorous campaigning by Kent's Green MEP Caroline Lucas in the European Parliament has helped the fight against cruelty (2). Now, MPs should now be contacted to support the re-introduction of the Hunting Bill into Parliament. Recent research shows 80% of people believe hunting with dogs is cruel (3). Support for hunting presents a false image of the countryside, encouraging Government to ignore rural issues. This Government has the distinction of having presented a Rural White Paper with no new resources in it to address rural housing needs, for example. Steve Dawe comments:

"There are many reasons why people in rural areas should support a ban on hunting. It is very disappointing that the government has fielded an amendment to the Hunting Bill which would allow dogs to continue to be used below ground(4). To ensure hunting is banned and consigned to history, it is vital the government reintroduces the bill in the Queen's Speech on 26 November 2003. The Parliament Act will then apply and the un-elected Lords can no longer frustrate the will of the elected MPs.

"But the silent majority in the countryside, who have long opposed hunting, should take this opportunity to associate themselves with a ban by writing to MPs. Let us remove the image of people in the countryside being obsessed with cruel hunting, once and for all. People should also complain to MPs about the lack of affordable housing in village communities, and stress that rural public transport in most parts of Europe attracts twice the funding it gets in the UK (5).

ENDS c298 words.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe, 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH.

Notes: 1. The Green Party of England and Wales The Green Party Animal Rights Manifesto: animals in society, 1997. 2. See www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk 3. See League Against Cruel Sports website, press release of 5.9.03: www.league.uk.com 4. See www.rspca.org.uk under 'Campaigns'. 5. See Lynn Sloman ed. Rural transport futures: transport solutions for a thriving countryside. (Transport 2000, September 2003). rt

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20th June 2005