Hunting ban worthwhile, says MP (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Hunting ban worthwhile, says MP

11:52am Thursday 15th March 2007 in News By Anika Bourley

An MP who campaigned to end fox hunting has said it was a major step forward in improving animal rights in this country.

Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood is among 100 MPs who have added their names to a statement marking the second anniversary of the implementation of the Hunting Act 2004.

Mr Wood was involved in the campaign to introduce the law, which ended the cruel practices of hare-courting, stag hunting and fox hunting.

"Hunting has long been one of the most common issues local people write to me about and the creation of the Hunting Act was a major step forward in improving animal rights in this country," he said.

"The impact it has had has been clear - we haven't seen the destruction of 35,000 jobs, the rural economy or mass culls of horses and dogs as was predicted by those opposed to the ban."

He said what has been seen is that hunts have been able to adapt and comply with the law without including the element of cruelty and now it is time for a rigorous clampdown on the minority who flout the law.

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