In 2004, the Hunting Act was passed which made hunting with dogs for sport illegal in England and Wales. Ever since then those that have wanted to keep hunting have campaigned for a repeal, or overturn, of the ban.
Even though the Coalition Agreement includes a promise for a free vote to repeal the Act, the Government seems intent on amending the Act using a Statutory Instrument (SI), a type of legislation that can be used to push changes through Parliament with less scrutiny than a full vote on repeal would require.
David Cameron knows that a straight vote to repeal the hunting ban would fail in Parliament. Amending an Act is much easier than attempting to overturn it and an abuse of the democratic process. If the SI is approved, this will essentially overturn the ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, something we cannot allow to happen.
Please contact your MP today and urge them to vote against this devious attempt to bring back cruelty.