The government has published proposals to allow hunting with dogs in counties free from foot and mouth disease.

Details of a hunt, including the number of people involved and the distance that it is likely to cover, would be given to officials by hunt leaders in exchange for a permit, which will be available from December 17. Permits will remain until the outbreak of the disease was over and no new foot and mouth cases were expected.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael said: "Today's proposals address clearly and simply whether or not the current ban on hunting under animal health legislation is justified as a foot-and-mouth control measure. We are considering the way in which controls can be eased in a way that reflects the complexity of veterinary risk assessment and progress made with eradicating the disease".

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Sam Butler, chairman of the campaign for hunting at the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Hunting people take their responsibilities to rural communities very seriously. Indeed it was the hunting bodies themselves which originally voluntarily suspended all forms of hunting in the UK following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, before the government had reached any such decision.

"However we do have some reservations about certain conditions DEFRA has laid down in today's announcement for hunting's limited resumption. Our concerns centre on, but are not confined to, some of the bureaucratic conditions laid down in the proposed licensing system and especially on reports that DEFRA is preparing to hold hunts responsible for the activities of those dedicated to disrupting them. We will be seeking clarification on these issues during the consultation period".