Most Britons think banning fox hunting should not be a top priority for Parliament, according to a new poll.

Although the majority of people want to outlaw hunting with dogs, a similar proportion - 68 per cent - believe other issues facing the country deserve more attention, the NOP survey for ITN revealed.

Forum Response: RSPCA

A spokesperson for the RSPCA told ePolitix.com: "This poll confirms what we have always known - that a clear majority of people in this country want to see hunting banned. It also shows that the so-called middle wayis totally unacceptable.

"There will always be important issues for the government to deal with and that is why it is even more important to finally bring the hunting issue to a conclusion once and for all. Bringing the existing Hunting Bill back is the quickest way to do this."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

A spokesperson for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix.com: "It is clear that - even for those who disagree with hunting - the electorate has other issues that it believes more deserving of Parliamentary time than this one.

"The majority of people have long thought that Parliament should concentrate on core issues such as our health service, the education of our children and our transport system rather than on fringe or minority issues such as hunting.

"It is evident that those few MPs for whom banning hunting is an obsession are not only out of touch with the countryside - but they are also out of touch with their own constituents.

"We therefore urge Parliament to use the votes on March 18 and 19 to seek a resolution to this matter which balances animal welfare with human rights."