Record Crowds Gather For UK Hunts
Date: 29-Dec-04
Country: UK
The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance said 300,000 people joined huntsmen and women for the meets on Boxing Day -- one of the biggest days on the hunting calendar with more than 300 separate hunts taking place throughout England and Wales.
Last month lawmakers in the lower House of Commons forced through a ban on the ancient pursuit, invoking the rarely used Parliament Act to brush aside opposition from the upper House of Lords.
The ban on all forms of hunting with dogs will come into force in February but hunt pro-hunt supporters have vowed to ignore the law, saying jobs will be put at risk.
"The unprecedented crowds at today's Boxing Day meets are a reflection of solidarity and resolve, not only from the hunting community, but also from many thousands of people who support freedom and tolerance," Simon Hart, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said.
"These massive crowds will give great heart to the hunting community who have signalled their determination to carry on hunting within the law until the Hunting Act is repealed or replaced."
Legal challenges to the law are expected to delay the implementation of the ban, giving Prime Minister Tony Blair possible respite from the divisive issue before a general election expected next year.
It could also mean the red-jacketed horse-riders would still be able to continue the post-Christmas tradition next year.
