Inquiry into fox rearing claims

Hunting rules say the fox should be hunted in its wild state

The Masters of Fox Hounds Association has promised to investigate evidence uncovered by the BBC that one of England's leading hunts is rearing foxes for sport.

Animal rights activists say they secretly filmed a dog handler with Gloucestershire's Royal Beaufort Hunt - which is followed by Prince Charles and Prince William - leaving food at man-made fox earths.

Anti-hunt campaigners say the pictures undermine claims that hunting is a form of pest control.

The terrierman was allegedly pictured shovelling offal on to stone slabs outside the concrete chambers, and throwing down pheasants and chickens.

Prince Charles regularly rides with the Beaufort Hunt

A sheep was also left, said the International Fund for Animal Welfare, whose footage was shown on BBC2's Newsnight programme on Friday night.

The allegations come as the government prepares to renew its pledge to ban hunting, with the home secretary poised to respond to the Burns report on the impact of a hunting ban.

A BBC spokesman said a member of the corporation's staff was present during the covert recordings and could vouch for their reliability.

He said: "The footage we have obtained shows foxes being kept in artificial earths and being fed dead chickens. We think it is credible and genuine."

Vermin

In a statement, one of the Royal Beaufort's Masters, Captain Ian Farquhar, said: "If there was a situation where cubs were in danger of starving, then someone might well throw them some food.

"You go back to the question of whether the fox is total vermin or also a quarry species. This is where the argument does get complicated," added Captain Farquhar, who is said to be a close friend of Prince Charles.

A fox rescued by a hunt saboteur

However, the animal rights group claimed that the practices went against the rules of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, which state that the fox should be hunted in "his wild and natural state".

Mike Baker, of the IFAW, told Newsnight: "The pro-hunt lobby has been saying that the only justification for fox hunting is that it is necessary - they have to control fox numbers.

"But then we find here that one of the most respected hunts in the country is actively rearing fox cubs."

Mark Sprake, of the Masters of Fox Hounds Association, told the programme that the "very serious allegations" would be fully investigated if a formal complaint was made.

"The vast majority of artificial earths were built in the last century," he added.

The IFAW said it would be sending full details of its investigation and footage to St James's Palace.

Many Labour MPs want to see hunting banned

Chief executive Mike Baker said: "The Prince now knows where his foxes come from and we are certain that he will no longer want to ride out with this particular hunt."

Mr Baker said that the undercover footage drove a "horse and cart" through the arguments to avoid a ban on hunting.

"Foxhunters claim that they are engaged in vital pest control and yet here they are apparently rearing foxes for the kill," he said.

"The Countryside Alliance has no choice but to suspend this hunt without delay and take the sternest possible action against the Masters."