Hunting Act 2004

The Hunting Act of 2004 came into force on 18 February 2005 and prohibits the hunting of wild animals with dogs in England and Wales, except where it is carried out in accordance with the conditions of an exemption.  Hare coursing is also banned.

Many earlier attempts to ban hunting have failed stretching as far back as 1949.  See a timeline of the hunting debate on the BBC.

Summary of the Hunting Act
Hunting with dogs - questions and answers

Burns Inquiry

In September 1999 the Home Secretary Jack Straw announced an inquiry was to be undertaken by Lord Burns into the effect of a fox hunting ban on the rural economy.  The final report was published in June 2000.  This report is available on the Hunting Inquiry website.

The Burns Inquiry: Key points

Public Opinion

Various figures are put forward by both supporters and opposers of hunting to reinforce their claims that public support is on their side.

A fox hunting survey undertaken by YouGov on behalf of The Daily Telegraph in 2002 showed that 57% of those questioned held the view that "hunting with dogs is never acceptable".

View YouGov survey results (opens a PDF document in a new window).

Other Polls

Links to other polls

Organisations supporting the ban

• League Against Cruel Sports
• Campaigning to Protect Hunted Animals Coalition
• RSPCA
• International Fund For Animal Welfare
• Hunt Saboteurs Association

Organisations opposing the ban

• Countryside Alliance
• Hounds
• Countryside Action Network
• Hunt Facts
• Support Fox Hunting

Other Links

• Banning Hunting - Questions and Answers (BBC)
• Hunting Act on Wikipedia