Welsh farming organisations launch questionnaire to establish effects of the Hunting Act 2004
All of Wales' major farming organisations have launched a questionnaire to gather evidence that will show that the Hunting Act is not working. The unions have called for the Hunting Act 2004 to be amended in Wales and are using the questionnaire to gather evidence.
As the lambing season peaks, NFU Cymru, the FUW, the Country Land and Business Group Wales and the National Sheep Association (NSA) renewed concerns that the Hunting Act 2004 does not allow for effective pest control and is detrimental to sheep farming in Wales. NFU Cymru Vice President and hill sheep farmer Edmund Bailey said, "The exemption in the Hunting Act that allows a maximum of two dogs to be used for flushing foxes to guns makes effective fox control all but impossible in many areas of Wales.
"A survey of the Forestry Commission Wales showed that much of the woodland they managed is made up of plantations over 1000ha in size. It is totally unrealistic to expect two hounds to find, let alone flush, foxes to guns from such large areas. This survey, which is featured in the May edition of our magazine, Farming Wales, will gather evidence that will show what effect the Hunting Act is having on Welsh farmers."
NSA Chief Executive John Thorley CBE said, "Sheep farmers in Wales have been put in a ridiculous situation: they cannot effectively protect their newborn lambs from foxes, they cannot use a terrier below ground to control foxes if it is to protect livestock, (although they can if it is to protect gamebirds) and farmers and hunts can use a maximum of only two dogs to flush a fox to a gun, which is simply ineffective.
"To safeguard our flocks, we need the law to be amended to allow the use of terriers below ground and allow a greater number of dogs to be used to flush foxes to guns. This survey will provide us with hard evidence, that neither the Assembly nor DEFRA will be able to ignore, and we will establish once and for all whether the Hunting Act is working." Farmers' Union of Wales President Gareth Vaughan said, "The union's opposition to this ban is well known. We have consistently argued that dogs play a vital role in our fight to protect livestock from the threat posed by these pests. It's absolutely vital that all farmers complete this survey accurately so that we have solid evidence to present to politicians about the true impact this ban is having on Welsh farmers." Julian Salmon, of the CLA Wales, commented, "It is essential for profitable land and environmental management that farmers are able to protect their livestock enterprises effectively from vermin. Empirical evidence of how the restrictions imposed by the Hunting Act are affecting the control of foxes will be vital in supporting calls for any review of the legislation." The deadline for submission of the completed questionnaires is 31 May 2006.
