conservativerural action

For many people country sports are an integral part of rural life. They also contribute an enormous amount to the rural economy. Shooting, for example, supports the equivalent of 70,000 full-time jobs and boosts the economy by £1.6 billion a year.  Properly managed shooting also offers benefits to other wildlife and conservation. Wildlife crime is unacceptable but it is best addressed by involving those who live and work with wildlife.

There have been few more symbolic expressions of disregard for rural communities than the ban on hunting. Introduced by the Labour Government, over 700 hours of Parliamentary time was spent on producing an Act which was more about indulging prejudice than improving animal welfare, and which has been found to be unworkable.

A Conservative Government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act, on a free vote and in government time.

• We will preserve the right of people to engage in country sports and will only regulate where self-regulation fails to maintain high standards of animal welfare and environmental care.