Ministers may lift hunt ban

Hounds have been confined to kennels since February

Government ministers are to decide this week whether to lift the hunting ban imposed during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It follows pressure from hunts across the country.

A spokesman for the rural affairs department (Defra) said ministers and officials would discuss the issue on Thursday.

She said an announcement would be made as soon as possible.

A vet's assessment of the risks was completed several weeks ago.

A vet has assessed the risks of hunting

Horses can spread the disease, even though they cannot be infected.

Fox hounds have been largely confined to kennels since February.

Many hunts voluntarily stopped going out even before the ban - brought in to limit the spread of disease.

Pressure for a resumption of hunting has been growing in the last few weeks as the foot-and-mouth crisis has apparently been brought under control.

Other field sports, such as shooting, have been allowed to restart.

'Landowners happy'

The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance says it believes most landowners would be happy to see hunting start again.

But the League Against Cruel Sports believes any resumption will only be temporary.

It expects a bill to ban hunting to be brought foward in the current parliamentary session.