Pro-hunting campaigners have claimed the government is set to impose radical new rules on gamekeepers.

The Countryside Alliance said on Thursday that rural affairs minister Alun Michael is set to bring gamekeepers under government registration and impose a closed season on fox hunting as part of amendments to the Hunting Bill.

Halting hunting between August and November was aimed at ending fox cub hunting.

The group claimed the details were contained in a memo to the prime minister and members of the Cabinet involved in the hunting debate.

Alliance spokesman Simon Hart accused Alun Michael of breaking earlier promises.

"These amendments are a further serious incursion into the liberty and livelihood of rural people. They are not about protecting shooting or animal welfare but extracting Alun Michael from a mess of his own making," he said.

"The proposed gamekeepers amendment would make keepers the first rural profession outside the staff of emergency services to come under government registration and is a clear breach of the government's manifesto commitment not to place restrictions on shooting."