Straw to unveil hunting bill

Hunting with dogs may soon be illegal

Home Secretary Jack Straw is due to unveil a bill which could lead to the banning of hunting with dogs in England and Wales.

The bill will contain a number of options ranging from a complete ban to leaving the sport unchanged.

There will be a free vote for MPs on the bill and it is expected a substantial majority will opt for an outright ban.

The unveiling of the bill coincides with the publication of the Burns report into the impact of a hunting ban, including the number of jobs that might be lost.

When asked why the government had decided to go ahead with a bill before the report was published the prime minister's spokesman said the Burns inquiry had been commissioned to inform the debate and not to give the government options for action.

Mr Straw will outline the government's position on hunting as he responds to the Burns report on Monday.

'Breakdown of law and order'

Supporters of hunting have threatened to fight any ban to the end.

The Countryside Alliance said that thousands of jobs would be lost and that communities and families would be divided over the issue.

"What we will see is a breakdown of law and order in the countryside," said spokesman Matthew Askew.

Lord Strathclyde, Conservative leader in the House of Lords, described the government's intervention on hunting as a "political stunt" aimed at avoiding a vote on an amendment to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill by 85 backbench MPs.

If passed, the amendment would ban foxhunting.

Kate Hoey: Remains opposed to a ban

Lord Strathclyde believes it would be "good politics" for his party if Labour made the banning of hunting a manifesto commitment as this would force the Tories to defend it.

Sports Minister Kate Hoey has already said she would not drop her opposition to a ban on foxhunting.

"I haven't changed my mind, even though I'm a minister", she told BBC One's Breakfast With Frost television programme on Sunday.

"I think there are a lot more important issues on animal welfare that people should concentrate on."

League Against Cruel Sports chairman John Cooper said Labour would win back votes from disillusioned animal welfare campaigners if the government secured a ban.