Cat Eccles MP, a co-sponsor of the Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill, has welcomed the publication of the Bill in full.
The Bill, brought forward by Neil Duncan Jordan MP, sets out proposals to close loopholes in the Hunting Act 2004 and ensure that fox hunting cannot continue under the cover of exemption.
Cat Eccles MP is among a cross-party group of MPs supporting the Bill, which follows growing calls for the Government to deliver its manifesto commitment to strengthen anti-hunting laws.
Cat Eccles MP said:
“I’m proud to co-sponsor the Fox Hunting Ban Amendment Bill introduced by my colleague Neil Duncan Jordan. Twenty years after the Hunting Act was passed, concerns remain that fox hunting continues under the guise of trail hunting, causing unnecessary suffering to wildlife and undermining public confidence in the law. For me, this is about compassion, fairness, and respecting wildlife.
The vast majority of people believe fox hunting belongs in the past, and I believe our laws should reflect that. I’m so pleased to support this important legislation and grateful to Neil for bringing it forward.”
The Bill proposes to:
• Remove all exemptions from the Hunting Act — exemptions that have been repeatedly abused to circumvent the ban. The falconry exemption is a clear example: foxes are not hunted with falcons.
• Create a clear offence where it is reasonably foreseeable that someone’s actions would result in hunting a wild mammal with a dog — ending the ability to avoid prosecution through the use of misleading terminology.
• Create an offence for going equipped — mirroring the approach used in other areas of criminal law, where preparation and intent are recognised as offences.
• Review funding and resources for the National Wildlife Crime Unit to ensure that stronger laws are backed by effective enforcement.
