Pro-hunting group 'will not accept ban'

Pro-hunting activists plan to stage another march

The Countryside Alliance has dismissed as "grossly untruthful" reports that it plans to drop its opposition to a ban on fox hunting.

A national newspaper reported that chief executive Richard Burge, a Labour Party member, and other leaders from the organisation had met eight backbench Labour MPs at a private dinner to discuss the issue, and had admitted they would accept the will of parliament.

The Guardian said it had obtained confidential minutes from the meeting.

These indicated that senior members of the organisation were ready to concede defeat in the battle to retain fox hunting in exchange for increased rural investment, the newspaper said.

I don't believe that anybody in the Countryside Alliance is going to roll over

Sam Butler

Mr Burge said that there had been a meeting in the House of Commons with Labour MPs to discuss rural issues and the government's white paper but he described the newspaper's version of events as "a mixture of pure fantasy".

He said: "It is inconceivable that we would have said or implied the remarks attributed to us regarding our commitment to hunting.

'No change'

"It is significant that this article fails to cite any relevant direct quote from us arising out of this meeting."

Sam Butler, chairman of the Countryside Alliance's campaign for hunting, also denied that the group was preparing for a change in stance.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a meeting on Sunday had reaffirmed that the organisation "would never abandon hunting".

Hunt supporters "will continue opposition" to ban

According to Monday's Guardian, Mr Burge now believed there was some common ground with the government on rural issues, and had apologised for "offensive posters about [Agriculture Minister] Nick Brown".

It was also reported that the organisation was prepared to back the phasing out of EU farming subsidies in favour of rural investment, and that there was support for the government's white paper on rural issues.

The meeting was also reported to have been attended by Mr Burge's deputy Alex Armstrong, board member Maurice Askew and was hosted by Peterborough MP Helen Brinton.

Mr Armstrong is reported to have said that the alliance would accept the decision of parliament as long as there was an informed debate.

Board 'unanimous'

Seven other Labour MPs attended - Jane Griffiths, MP for Reading East; David Lepper, Brighton Pavillion; Mark Todd, Derbyshire South; Christine Russell, Chester; David Kidney, Stafford; Bob Laxton, Derby North and Diana Organ, MP for the Forest of Dean.

But Mr Butler said: "The Countryside Alliance board is unanimous in its decision and its stance that it will not abandon hunting ... I wouldn't believe the report."

He denied allegations that some senior members were ready to roll over.

Ban 'inevitable'

And he said that there could be another march on the issue next year which would be the "biggest ever civil rights demonstration on that matter".

He added: "I don't believe that anybody in the Countryside Alliance is going to roll over."

Anti-hunting activists have welcomed the reports.

Steve Rackett, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "The Countryside Alliance have realised that a hunt ban is inevitable.

"They are aware that the forthcoming march will have no effect and is only being organised to placate their own supporters."