The old bill has gone for good. The Alliance will participate in
this new process, and we will seek – with vigour and determination
– to ensure the outcome is one which safeguards individual liberty,
and enables public confidence to be placed fairly in the accountability
of hunting, and in the conduct of hunting people. Any changes, or
even discussion of those changes, will be developed and approved
by members of the Council of Hunting Associations, as the leaders
of the hunting world.

No one should read this moment as either one of success or failure.
It is neither. It is simply a staging post on a long road, the outcome
of which we are all resolved must be a lasting and secure peace
for hunting as part of a diverse and tolerant countryside. We still
have a dangerous and perilous path to tread, and our level of alert
remains at its highest.

We are already in the process of starting a period of consultation
amongst the full range of organisations involved in hunting, to
ensure that our resources are used effectively and in a co-ordinated
manner.

House of Lords Debate – Tuesday 19 March
We thought it would be helpful to set out two key facts following
the Lords debate

• 52% of parliamentarians (MPs and Peers) voted against a ban
• Of the parliamentarians (MPs and Peers) who voted over the past
  two days, 55% supported the Middle Way.

Middle Way Proposals
There is some confusion about what the Middle Way actually is
and what the Alliance’s position is with regard to it.

We would like to take the opportunity of saying the following
–

• The Middle Way proposals voted on in Parliament this week
  contain no provision for the banning of coursing, stag hunting
  or terrierwork.
• The Countryside Alliance would not agree to a provision
  banning stag hunting, coursing or terrierwork. No discussions
  have ever taken place on these matters.
• These are activities properly regulated and conducted under
  the auspices of the Independent Supervisory Authority for
  Hunting (ISAH) and we will defend and promote them with just
  as much vigour as other forms of hunting.
• We have indicated that our position would not unnecessarily
  reject some form of statutory strengthening of the existing
  systems and we will support the views and proposals of the
  Council of Hunting Associations.
• We now await the Government’s announcement as to how they
  intend to “resolve the issue”.

When Will We March?

Arrangements to reschedule a Liberty and Livelihood March remain
in hand. They will be activated should any attempt be made to
enforce this issue unfairly or unjustly. A march will be only
one part of a larger campaign. We are in touch with a range of
supportive organisations to ensure we combine our resources for
maximum political impact and success.

Excerpt from the speech of Baroness Mallalieu,
Countryside Alliance President House of Lords, 19 March 2002

“Last night in [the House of Commons] and here in this
House today, the Government have provided time for us to consider
passing legislation to criminalise up to half a million of some
of our most law abiding, deeply rooted, most responsible citizens,
drawn primarily from the farming and the rural communities which
are just recovering from their worst economic blow in modern times.

“Since the previous debate, I have changed my approach. I
still believe that the Independent Supervisory Authority for Hunting,
which I helped to set up, is working well and effectively. However,
I do now believe that this damaging and divisive issue must be
removed from the mainstream political agenda. In order to do that,
there has to be public confidence in the way in which hunting
is conducted and regulated and both sides of this debate have
to be willing to move from their hitherto entrenched positions.
I do not know whether that can be achieved but I know that on
the side from which I come there is a will to try, and we shall
do so. Therefore I shall vote against a ban, vote for hunting
under licence and shall abstain from the third vote on supervision.

“I have been greatly encouraged – I should be grateful if
the Minister would pass on my comments – by the universal praise
I have had from local hunts for their DEFRA officials at local
level who have been handling the licensing and permit system since
December. That shows that with co-operation and goodwill on both
sides, a licensing system can be made to work well.

“I make it clear that any attempt to criminalise any of the
present forms of hunting in the absence of evidence of cruelty
would be wholly unacceptable and, indeed, an outrage to those
who feel as I do.

“I cannot overstate the sense of injustice and anger which
this attack is generating on those most affected. The Minister
must understand the emotions in the countryside, after all that
has happened. I refer in particular to Foot and Mouth and to the
way in which those whose jobs and homes depend on hunting, who
volunteered and helped the Government in that crisis, feel betrayed.
To throw a match o to that tinder would be divisive madness.

“We look to the Minister here and his colleague in [the House
of Commons] who have been charged with dealing with this issue,
for leadership because that is now needed. If that means putting
aside some of our personal prejudices and views, on my side I
am prepared to try to do so. I hope that there is a willingness
on his side. If there is, the matter will be resolved amicably.
If not, I cannot begin to foresee the extent of the trouble that
will result.”

COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE,
THE OLD TOWN HALL,
367 KENNINGTON ROAD,
LONDON SE11 4PT

Tel : 020 7840 9200
Fax : 020 7793 8484
E-MAIL : [email protected]
WEBSITE : www.countryside-alliance.org