Kate Hoey: MLAs have many more important issues to deal with than wasting time on absurd anti-hunt bill

If anyone thought Alliance MLA John Blair’s previous failed anti-hunting bill was extreme, a cursory glance at his newly introduced version suggests he wants to go even further.

As reported in the News Letter (Gundog ban fears over hunting law, April 30 – to read the article, click here), the Hunting with Dogs Bill is drafted in such a way that potentially any dog owner could fall foul of this law if it were passed.

All dogs will search for scents that interest them, some of which will be left naturally by a wild mammal. This will apparently become a criminal offence with a fine of up to £20,000 or up to 12 months imprisonment.

This is both absurd and outrageous.

Blair’s bill does three things.

Firstly, it shows his absolute obsession to remove the use of dogs in wildlife management, whether it be with hunts or game shoots.

Secondly, he fails to recognise the disastrous effect the 2004 Hunting Act in England and Wales has had on the fox, hare and deer, as research has indicated.

Lastly, John Blair reveals his ignorance about the natural hunting instincts of all dogs. He should understand that, as smart as hounds are, they haven’t yet learned how to read laws passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

I assume most sensible members of the assembly will realise that there are so many more important issues to sort out in Northern Ireland than waste time on what is a fundamental attack on rural life.

Baroness Kate Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin