ePolitix Forum members respond to the government's proposed new hunting legislation.

Forum Response: British Pest Control Association

A spokesman for the British Pest Control Association told ePolitix.com: "In the new hunting bill reference has been made to alternative means of fox control, including poisoning.

"The British Pest Control Association draws attention to the fact that there are currently no products approved to poison or gas foxes. Companies seeking such an approval under current pesticide legislation would find the exercise difficult, and expensive.

"The data requirements demanded by the legislation would also mean that a product could not be brought to the market for many months or even years."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

John Jackson, chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The Alliance rejects entirely the bill's proposed ban on stag hunting and coursing, especially given that the government has provided no rational grounds for singling out these activities.

"However, regarding the bill's central principle of a registration and licensing system, we have long made clear that we would consider such a concept constructively provided that it is seen to be based on the government's own criteria of 'principle' and 'evidence'.

"It is not yet clear whether the proposed scheme meets these criteria and to this end we will study the Bill's details closely before responding to the government."

Forum Response: RSPCA

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "Our three organisations will not accept any attempt at compromise that amounts to licensed cruelty. Licensing by a tribunal will open up a bureaucratic nightmare that will continue the controversy over fox hunting indefinitely.

"MPs have voted on four separate occasions for a complete ban and CPHA will be calling on them to do the same again by amending the Bill. We will do everything we can to support them by stepping up our activity as the Bill goes through parliament."The recent public hearings into hunting with dogs proved yet again that the case against hunting is overwhelming on grounds of cruelty, utility and morality. Ultimately this is a moral issue that should be decided by parliament on the basis of a free vote by MPs. The government is seeking to abrogate its moral responsibility."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

Nick Way, director of policy and advisory services at the CLA, said: "The CLA opposes any outright or de facto ban on hunting with hounds. We note the conclusions of the Burns Report that 6000 to 8000 jobs depend on hunting and that a ban could have significant implications for certain areas of the rural economy.

"There needs to be a sensible resolution of this issue and we hope that the Bill will achieve this.

"We will need to examine the government's proposals in detail. We support the guiding principle that hunting with hounds should be regulated according to the twin tests of cruelty and utility.

"It is essential that these tests reflect the true benefit of properly conducted hunting to the rural economy while avoiding unnecessary suffering to animals.

"We await information on the government's justification for the proposed outright ban on stag hunting and hare coursing.

"We will be working with the Countryside Alliance - the lead organisation for hunting - and the Middle Way Group as the bill progresses through parliament."