Stormont fox hunting law 'poorly conceived' and risks criminalising country pursuits like shooting - TUV
The consequences of a “poorly conceived” law to ban fox hunting have not been thought through – and would cause confusion, uncertainty and fear of prosecution for those involved in legal countryside pursuits, the TUV has said.
The party was responding to comments by Alliance MLA John Blair, who told the News Letter that the use of more than two gundogs may be made illegal under legislation he is proposing to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs.
He aims to outlaw fox hunting with hounds – and has said that gundogs are not the focus of his private members bill. However, concerns have been raised about whether his plans would criminalise other rural activities, such as using gundogs to flush out rabbits for shooters, or recover prey.
The South Antrim MLA had initially said the fox hunting law would cover “other forms of hunting where dogs are used to flush or kill rabbits” – but later rowed back from that position.
TUV agriculture spokesperson Councillor Allister Kyle said: “Despite having talked about this issue for years, it is increasingly clear that Mr Blair has not thought through even the most basic ramifications of what he is proposing. His shifting explanations and vague reassurances only underline how poorly conceived this bill is.
“If this legislation proceeds in the direction suggested, it will criminalise ordinary, legitimate countryside activity with no credible evidence that such practices are either inhumane or require legislative prohibition. The idea that legality could hinge on arbitrary limits or subjective judgments will cause confusion, uncertainty and fear of prosecution among people who are acting responsibly and lawfully.
“More broadly, this bill fits a worrying pattern at Stormont: an urban-centric political class imposing its values on rural communities who neither want nor need this kind of interference. It shows no respect for landowners, farmers, gamekeepers or those who understand animal welfare in practice rather than theory”.
Asked how the law could differentiate between dogs chasing wild mammals in the context of a hunt, or flushing wild mammals out for shooting – Mr Blair said it was down to the “responsible person” on the scene, and their behaviour. He also denied that shooting with gundogs would be criminalised, either intentionally or unintentionally.